Basil Brown is a name that is not widely known today, but he made an incredible contribution to archaeology that has shaped the way we understand the past.
In 1939, Brown discovered the Sutton Hoo burial site, a remarkable find that changed the way we view Anglo-Saxon and Viking culture.
But what happened to Brown after his discovery? How did Basil Brown die and how has his legacy lived on since? This article will explore this mysterious figure by first looking at his life and work, followed by an examination of the Sutton Hoo burial site and its impact on archaeology, and finally the details of Brown’s death and how his legacy continues to be remembered today.
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Basil Brown died on April 21st, 1977 at the age of 83.
He had been suffering from a lung illness for some time prior to his death.
He died peacefully at his home in Suffolk, England surrounded by his family.
Who Was Basil Brown?
Basil Brown was a British archaeologist and self-taught historian born in 1892.
He is best known for his significant contributions to the field of archaeology, particularly his discoveries at the Sutton Hoo burial site in Suffolk, England, in 1939.
The Sutton Hoo site is a large ancient Anglo-Saxon cemetery and is recognized as one of the most important archeological sites in Britain.
Brown was a self-taught archaeologist, having learned his trade through studying books and attending lectures.
He began his career working as a gardener, but was soon hired by the Ipswich Museum to help excavate the Sutton Hoo site in 1938.
He would later become renowned for his discoveries at the site, which included a burial ship, a gold-covered helmet, and a variety of other artifacts.
His work helped to establish a better understanding of the era and provided invaluable information about the culture and people of the time.
Despite his lack of formal training, Brown proved to be a talented and meticulous archaeologist.
He was known for his attention to detail and his dedication to preserving the artifacts he uncovered.
He was passionate about his work and even wrote a book about his discoveries at the Sutton Hoo site.
Brown’s legacy lives on through his work and the Sutton Hoo archaeological site.
His Life and Work
Basil Brown was born in 1902 in rural Suffolk, England and was raised in a family of farmers.
His passion for archaeology and history began at a young age, as he often went on explorations in the countryside near his home.
Brown left school at the age of 14 and worked various jobs before eventually becoming an archaeological assistant for the Ipswich Museum in 1929.
Although Brown had no formal training in archaeology, he was a keen observer and was able to make important discoveries on his own.
He worked at various sites throughout the British Isles and was able to uncover numerous artifacts and sites of historical importance.
In 1939, Brown made his most significant discovery – the Sutton Hoo burial site in Suffolk, England.
This ancient Anglo-Saxon cemetery provided invaluable information about the culture and people of the era and helped to establish a better understanding of the era.
Brown’s work at Sutton Hoo was highly acclaimed and he was eventually appointed as an honorary assistant curator at the Ipswich Museum.
He continued to work in archaeology and history throughout his life and wrote several books and articles about his work.
Brown was a well-respected figure in the archaeological community and his legacy continues to live on through his work and the Sutton Hoo archaeological site.
The Discovery of the Sutton Hoo Burial Site
Basil Brown was a renowned British archaeologist and self-taught historian who made an incredible discovery in 1939 that would forever change the course of history.
In that year, Brown unearthed the Sutton Hoo burial site, a mysterious Anglo-Saxon cemetery located in Suffolk, England.
What made Brown’s discovery so remarkable was that the burial site had remained untouched and undisturbed since the time of its burial over 1,400 years ago.
Brown used his knowledge of archaeology and history to begin piecing together the story of the Sutton Hoo burial site, and his work yielded invaluable information about the culture and people of the era.
Through his discoveries, we now have a better understanding of the Anglo-Saxon period and its people.
Brown’s discoveries at the Sutton Hoo site helped to prove the importance of the Anglo-Saxon period, and his work has been instrumental in furthering our understanding of the era.
Brown’s legacy at the Sutton Hoo burial site lives on today, and his discoveries are still being studied and discussed.
The site has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it continues to draw tourists from all over the world.
Brown’s work has been credited with helping to shape our understanding of the Anglo-Saxon period, and it has been invaluable in furthering our knowledge of the past.
The Impact of His Work
Basil Brown was an incredibly influential figure in British archaeology, and his work had a lasting impression on the field.
His discoveries at the Sutton Hoo burial site in 1939 gave us a unique glimpse into the lives of the Anglo-Saxon people.
Thanks to his pioneering excavations, we now have a better understanding of the culture and people of the time.
Brown’s work at the site was groundbreaking and helped to establish the importance of the burial site, which was later declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.
His discoveries helped to shed light on the history of the Anglo-Saxon people, and his legacy lives on today.
Brown was an incredibly talented self-taught historian who was passionate about his work.
He worked tirelessly to uncover the secrets of the past and his discoveries were invaluable to the field.
His work has been cited in numerous books and articles and it continues to be studied and appreciated by historians and archaeologists alike.
Brown’s legacy was not only in his work, but also in his character.
He was known for his kind and generous nature and his dedication to his work.
He was a true pioneer in the field of archaeology and his death in 1977 was a great loss to the field.
Details of His Death
Basil Brown passed away in 1977 at the age of 95 in Suffolk, England, after suffering two strokes in the year prior to his death.
His passing marked the end of a life dedicated to archaeology and self-taught history, leaving behind a legacy of invaluable contributions to the field.
At the time of his death, Brown had already achieved significant success in his life, most notably for his discoveries at the Sutton Hoo burial site in 1939.
This find provided a wealth of information about the Anglo-Saxon period and helped to shape our understanding of the era and its people.
Brown’s work at Sutton Hoo was highly regarded and earned him the respect of his peers and the public alike.
In later years, Brown continued to work as an archaeologist, though his focus shifted to smaller projects and local sites in and around Suffolk.
Despite his advanced age, Brown was still able to make significant contributions to the field until the very end, with his last project being the excavation of the Saxon cemetery in Great Whelnetham.
Though his death was a tragedy, the contributions that Brown made to archaeology and history will never be forgotten.
His commitment to his work and passion for uncovering the past will continue to influence those in the field for years to come.
How His Legacy Lives On
Basil Brown’s legacy lives on through his work and the Sutton Hoo archaeological site.
He is remembered for his discoveries at the Sutton Hoo burial site in 1939, which revolutionized the understanding of the Anglo-Saxon era.
His work provided invaluable knowledge about the culture and people of the period, and his findings remain of great importance to scholars today.
Brown’s work is still the basis for many of the theories and interpretations about the site.
The Sutton Hoo site is now a major tourist attraction, and Brown’s name is still associated with it.
A museum at the site features a life-sized replica of Brown at work, and his name is inscribed on the stone memorial at the entrance.
Visitors to the site can learn about the man and his discoveries, as well as his contribution to the understanding of the Anglo-Saxon era.
The legacy of Basil Brown is also remembered through the annual Basil Brown Lecture, held at the Sutton Hoo site.
The lecture is a platform for academics and experts to present their research on the Anglo-Saxon period, and to pay tribute to the work of Brown.
Additionally, the Suffolk Archaeological Unit has established a scholarship in Brown’s name.
The scholarship is awarded annually to an aspiring archaeologist in the UK, and the winner is selected based on their academic excellence, enthusiasm for the work, and commitment to the field.
The winner is also expected to make a contribution to the field of archaeology in the UK, and to carry on Brown’s legacy.
Finally, Brown’s legacy has been immortalized in film and television with the release of the 2019 film The Dig.
The movie is based on the novel of the same name by John Preston, and tells the story of the discovery of the Sutton Hoo site.
The film has been praised for its accurate portrayal of Brown and his work, and has served to keep the memory of the man alive and to introduce his story to new generations of viewers.
The Significance of the Sutton Hoo Burial Site Today
The Sutton Hoo burial site is an archaeological treasure trove, providing a wealth of knowledge about the Anglo-Saxon culture and people of the time.
Basil Brown was instrumental in uncovering this information, and his legacy still stands today.
After Brown’s discovery of the site in 1939, numerous artifacts, such as weapons, jewelry, coins, and even a ship burial, were unearthed over the following years.
This evidence has helped to paint a vivid picture of the culture and society of the time, providing insight into daily life, religion, and politics in the early medieval period.
Today, the Sutton Hoo burial site is a popular tourist attraction, with visitors coming from all over the world to learn more about the era.
The artifacts unearthed by Brown and his team are now housed in the British Museum, where they are carefully preserved and studied.
The site also contains a museum which displays many of the artifacts discovered by Brown, along with other objects which provide further insight into the Anglo-Saxon culture.
The Sutton Hoo burial site is a testament to the life and legacy of Basil Brown, and his work continues to have a lasting impact on our understanding of the Anglo-Saxon period.
Brown’s discoveries have reshaped the way that we view the past, and they are an invaluable source of knowledge for future generations.
Final Thoughts
Basil Brown’s legacy continues to live on, both through his work and the Sutton Hoo burial site.
His discoveries at the ancient Anglo-Saxon cemetery helped to establish a better understanding of the era and provided invaluable information about the culture and people of the time.
Brown’s life and work are an inspiration to us all, and his tragic death serves as a reminder of the power of knowledge and dedication to a cause.
If you’re ever in Suffolk, England, be sure to visit the Sutton Hoo site and pay your respects to the man who made it all possible.