‘Prickles down the neck’: project reveals unsung female heroes of Sutton Hoo dig

Barbara Wagstaff and Mercie Lack's photographs of 1939 excavation left in plastic bag at National Trust

It was 12 years ago that conservator Anita Bools first laid eyes on photographs which had been left in a plastic bag at the reception of the National Trust site Sutton Hoo by a mystery donor.

She remembered they were laid out on tables for her to see and decide how important they might be. It was one of those moments you get prickles down the back of your neck. I thought my goodness ... this is the genuine thing'. It almost felt like the archaeological discovery itself."