The Dig

In 1939, Suffolk landowner Edith Pretty hires self-taught archaeologist Basil Brown for an excavation at her estate in Sutton Hoo. The initial payment offered is on par with agricultural wages, but after negotiation, they settle on £2 a week, highlighting Brown's expertise.

Despite being tempted by his former employers to work on a Roman villa, Brown remains focused on the burial mounds at Sutton Hoo. He proposes that these mounds date back to the Anglo-Saxon period, a stance that sets the stage for a significant discovery.

While excavating, a trench unexpectedly collapses on Brown, posing a dangerous situation. Fortunately, he is rescued in the nick of time, allowing him to continue his important work at the burial site.

As the excavation progresses, Brown develops a close relationship with Edith Pretty and her young son, Robert. Meanwhile, he neglects correspondence with his wife, May, becoming more engrossed in their lives and their challenges.

A significant breakthrough occurs when Brown uncovers iron rivets from a ship, suggesting that the burial site belonged to someone of high status, possibly a king. This discovery raises the stakes of the excavation and its historical importance.

Local archaeologist James Reid Moir seeks to join the excavation team but is turned away. Instead, Edith decides to bring in her cousin Rory Lomax, expanding the team despite initial resistance to outside help.

News of their discoveries reaches Cambridge archaeologist Charles Phillips, who declares the site of national importance. He assumes control of the dig site, signifying the increasing recognition of their work and its historical value.

As the threat of war looms, Phillips enlarges the excavation team by incorporating Peggy Piggott. She plays a crucial role in unveiling the first distinctly Anglo-Saxon artifact, solidifying the site's significance.

Brown unearths a Merovingian Tremissis, a significant gold coin from Late Antiquity. This discovery further elevates the excavation's importance, leading Phillips to classify the location as historically valuable.

While Phillips wishes to send the unearthed items to the British Museum, Edith asserts her ownership of the treasures, fearing the potential for damage during air raids in London. An inquest upholds her claim, but her health continues to deteriorate.

In a selfless gesture, Edith decides to donate the Sutton Hoo treasures to the British Museum, ensuring that Brown's contributions are recognized. Her health declines, marking a poignant moment in the narrative.

Edith Pretty passes away in 1942, leaving a legacy intertwined with the treasures of Sutton Hoo. Her death marks the end of an era but solidifies her contributions to British archaeology.

Following the outbreak of war, the treasures from Sutton Hoo are hidden in the London Underground to protect them from potential bomb damage. This decision keeps the artifacts safe during a tumultuous time in history.

Years later, the artifacts are displayed in the British Museum, but Basil Brown receives no acknowledgment for his significant contributions to the excavation. This oversight reflects the challenges faced by many unsung heroes in history.

It isn't until recently that Basil Brown is recognized for his pivotal role in the excavation. His name is now rightfully celebrated alongside Edith Pretty's at the British Museum, rectifying the historical record.