Today, May 8, 2025, the National Trust’s Sutton Hoo unveils a captivating new exhibition, The Dig: A Story Unearthed, which delves into the real-life events and personalities that inspired the acclaimed Netflix film The Dig. This exhibition, set at the iconic Anglo-Saxon burial site in Suffolk, offers archaeology enthusiasts and history lovers a chance to explore the remarkable story of the 1939 excavation that reshaped our understanding of early medieval England.
The exhibition centres on the discovery of the Great Ship Burial in Mound 1, a find that revealed a 27-meter-long ship and a treasure trove of Anglo-Saxon artefacts, including the iconic Sutton Hoo helmet, gold jewellery, and Byzantine silverware. These discoveries, unearthed on the eve of World War II, illuminated the sophistication of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of East Anglia. The new display goes beyond the dramatised narrative of The Dig to highlight the authentic contributions of key figures and the challenges they faced.
8th May 2025
Sutton Hoo, National Trust
Visitors are introduced to Edith Pretty, the landowner whose curiosity sparked the excavation, Basil Brown, the self-taught archaeologist whose persistence uncovered the ship’s imprint, Charles Phillips, and Peggy Piggott. Through carefully curated displays, the exhibition reveals the collaborative effort behind the dig, dispelling myths perpetuated by the film while celebrating the diverse team that made history.
Housed in Tranmer House, Edith Pretty’s former home, the exhibition blends original artefacts, archival materials, and interactive elements. Visitors can view rare photographs of schoolteachers Mercie Lack and Barbara Wagstaff, whose early colour images documented the excavation’s progress. These images, alongside Basil Brown’s excavation diaries, offer a firsthand glimpse into the dig’s daily realities, from the thrill of discovery to the looming threat of war.
The display also illuminates lesser-known contributors, such as the local labourers who assisted in the meticulous uncovering of Mound 1. The exhibition underscores the community effort that brought Sutton Hoo’s treasures to light by presenting their stories. A highlight is exploring the excavation’s wartime context, including how the artefacts were safeguarded in London’s Aldwych tube station during the Blitz. This detail adds depth to the site’s historical significance.
The exhibition revisits the 1939 dig and ties it to ongoing archaeological work at Sutton Hoo. With Time Team returning for a four-week excavation in Garden Field from May 19 to June 13, 2025, visitors can engage with the site’s evolving story. The display includes interactive activities where guests can learn about current efforts to uncover more of Sutton Hoo’s secrets, such as the discovery of Byzantine bucket fragments.
The Dig: A Story Unearthed is a must-see for anyone fascinated by archaeology, Anglo-Saxon history, or the interplay between fact and fiction. Included in the standard admission to Sutton Hoo (free for National Trust members), the exhibition offers a rich, immersive experience that honours the legacy of the 1939 excavation while inviting visitors to connect with the site’s past and present. As Laura Howarth, Sutton Hoo’s Archaeology and Engagement Manager, notes, “This exhibition shares some of these stories of the real people behind the film and their lives both before and after 1939.”
Plan your visit to Sutton Hoo and learn the story behind one of the greatest archaeological discoveries ever. For more details, visit the National Trust’s Sutton Hoo website.
