1939 Sutton Hoo excavation photos available online for the first time

The full personal collection of photographs taken by school mistresses Mercie Lack and Barbara Wagstaff at the 1939 excavation at Sutton Hoo have been digitised and made available online for the first time

Schoolmistresses and close friends Mercie Lack and Barbara Wagstaff were amateur photographers with an interest in archaeology. In 1939, they visited Sutton Hoo in Suffolk and went on to create a photographic record of the archaeological site.

Eleven albums containing black & white images, one colour album and loose black & white prints were gifted to the National Trust by Mercie Lack’s great-nephew, Andrew Lack. Over the last three years, every image has been catalogued and digitised and remedial conservation work has been carried out to repair any damage. As part of the conservation process, each page of the albums was photographed, resulting in over 4,000 images capturing every detail.

Laura Howarth, Archaeology and Engagement

Manager at Sutton Hoo, said: ‘Present on site between 8 and 25 August 1939, Mercie Lack and Barbara Wagstaff took approximately 60% of the total number of recorded contemporary negatives from the excavation. Whilst the treasure had been removed from site by this point, their contribution to the archaeological record remains hugely significant, particularly recording details of the fossil of the ship. This “ghost ship”, as Mercie Lack referred to it, is something that no longer exists today but we can experience it through their photographs.

For more information, Sutton Hoo opening times, or to view the photos online visit www. nationaltrust.org.uk/sutton-hoo