The story of Basil Brown and his contribution to the Sutton Hoo discovery is one that is full of surprises.
For decades, Brown’s work went unrecognized and unacknowledged until the 1930s, when the British Museum finally began to recognize his important contribution.
This article will explore Brown’s life, the significance of the Sutton Hoo discovery, and the recognition that Brown finally received in 1965 when he was awarded the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.
Read on to learn more about this remarkable story of dedication and recognition!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Basil Brown was an amateur archaeologist who worked on excavations in Suffolk, England in the 1920s and 1930s.
He is best known for his work at Sutton Hoo, where he discovered the Anglo-Saxon burial ship in 1939.
Brown was largely unrecognized for his work until the 1980s, when his discoveries at Sutton Hoo were finally acknowledged and he was given an honorary diploma from the National Council for Social Service.
In 1997, he was posthumously awarded an MBE for his contributions to archaeology.
Who Was Basil Brown?
Basil Brown was a self-taught archaeologist who made a significant contribution to the field of archaeology.
Born in 1888 in rural Suffolk, England, Brown had a passion for archaeological excavation from a young age, leading him to become a self-taught expert on the subject.
He began working as an archaeological fieldworker in the early 1900s, and eventually joined the Ipswich Museum in 1919, where he worked as an assistant curator.
During this time, he helped excavate a number of important archaeological sites, including the Anglo-Saxon burial site at Sutton Hoo.
Brown was a meticulous researcher, and he took great care in documenting his findings.
His work at Sutton Hoo was especially important, as he discovered the presence of a ship burial there, and documented the artefacts and human remains found at the site.
Despite his work, Brown remained largely unrecognised until the 1930s, when his contributions to the field of archaeology began to be more widely recognised.
In 1939, he was made an honorary member of the British Museum, and in 1965, he was awarded an OBE for his services to archaeology.
Brown’s Contribution to the Sutton Hoo Discovery
Basil Brown is widely known as a self-taught archaeologist and is credited with the discovery of the Anglo-Saxon burial site at Sutton Hoo.
Brown first began his exploration of the site in 1938, when he was invited by Edith Pretty, the landowner of the estate, to investigate the mounds located there.
Brown soon uncovered a wealth of archaeological evidence that indicated the presence of an ancient burial mound, and he worked tirelessly to uncover its secrets.
Brown used a combination of excavation techniques and careful mapping to uncover the graves and artifacts found at the site, and he even conducted a metal detector survey to find items such as coins and jewelry.
His meticulousness and dedication to the task resulted in a wealth of information about the Anglo-Saxon period.
Brown’s discoveries proved to be invaluable in helping historians and archaeologists understand the history and culture of the period.
In 1939, Brown was finally rewarded for his efforts when he was made an honorary member of the British Museum.
This recognition of his work was long overdue, and it is thanks to Brown’s dedication and meticulous research that the archaeological site has been preserved for all to see today.
In 1965, Brown was further rewarded for his contributions to archaeology when he was awarded an OBE.
Brown’s discovery of the Sutton Hoo site was groundbreaking, as it provided a glimpse into the early Anglo-Saxon period and helped historians and archaeologists gain a better understanding of the culture and history of that period.
His work was instrumental in furthering our knowledge of the Anglo-Saxon period, and his contributions are still appreciated and valued today.
Brown’s Unrecognized Work
Basil Brown is an often-overlooked figure in archaeology, and yet his work was integral to the uncovering of one of the most significant Anglo-Saxon sites in the world.
Brown, a self-taught archaeologist, was largely unrecognised for his work until the 1930s.
He was charged with the task of digging at Sutton Hoo, an ancient burial site in Suffolk, England, and it was his meticulous research and dedication that led to the discovery of the site.
Brown’s work was incredibly thorough and he recorded every detail of his findings, such as the exact location of artefacts and the order in which they were discovered.
However, despite the significance of his discoveries, Brown remained largely unrecognised and unappreciated for his work until 1939.
It was then that he was made an honorary member of the British Museum, a recognition of his contributions to archaeology that had been long overdue.
Brown was finally given the recognition he deserved, and the Sutton Hoo site was preserved for all to see.
Unfortunately, Brown’s work was still not fully appreciated until the 1960s when he was awarded an OBE for services to archaeology.
It was only then that Brown finally received the recognition he deserved for his immense contribution to the field of archaeology.
Without Brown’s dedication and passion for uncovering the secrets of the past, the Anglo-Saxon burial site at Sutton Hoo would not have been discovered as it is today.
Brown’s work is a testament to the power of self-taught individuals and their ability to make a lasting impact on the world.
His legacy will live on for generations to come.
Brown’s Recognition in the 1930s
Basil Brown’s recognition in the 1930s was long overdue yet well-deserved.
Despite his lack of formal training, Brown was a self-taught archaeologist who dedicated his life to uncovering the secrets of the past.
His work at the Anglo-Saxon burial site at Sutton Hoo was finally acknowledged in 1939 when he was made an honorary member of the British Museum.
This recognition was a major milestone for Brown, who had been working on the site since the 1920s.
In the 1930s, Brown was also recognised by the British Academy for his contribution to the study of Anglo-Saxon England, and he was the first to publish a paper on the Sutton Hoo ship burial.
He was also responsible for the excavation of a large part of the site, and his meticulous research and dedication to the project are what helped preserve the archaeological site for everyone to appreciate today.
Despite the recognition he received in the 1930s, it wasn’t until 1965 that Brown was finally awarded an OBE for services to archaeology.
While this recognition was long overdue, it was a fitting tribute to Brown’s dedication and hard work, and it is thanks to his efforts that the Sutton Hoo site has been preserved for all to enjoy.
The British Museum Honors Brown
In 1939, Basil Brown was finally given the recognition he deserved for his work on the Anglo-Saxon burial site at Sutton Hoo.
He was made an honorary member of the British Museum, an esteemed institution that is considered to be one of the most important centers of world archaeology.
It was a proud moment for Brown, who had dedicated so much of his life to studying and researching the site.
The recognition of Brown’s work was long overdue, as he had been largely unrecognised until then, despite his extensive research and discoveries.
Brown’s meticulous attention to detail and dedication to the preservation of the site had enabled archaeologists to gain a better understanding of the Anglo-Saxon culture.
This knowledge is still being used today, as the site has been preserved for visitors to explore and appreciate the immense history and culture of the area.
It was not until 1965, however, that Brown’s work was finally recognised by the British government, when he was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his services to archaeology.
This recognition was a great honour for Brown, who had dedicated so much of his life to his work.
It was a fitting tribute to a great man who had made such an important contribution to the world of archaeology.
The recognition of Brown’s work is a reminder that self-taught and dedicated individuals can make a real difference in the world.
His story has become an inspiration to many, and his legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of those who appreciate and respect his work.
Brown’s OBE Award in 1965
When Basil Brown was awarded the OBE in 1965, it was long overdue recognition for a man who had dedicated his life to archaeology.
Brown had been largely unrecognised for his work until the 1930s, when his contribution to the discovery of the Anglo-Saxon burial site at Sutton Hoo was finally acknowledged.
The OBE award was an acknowledgement of Brown’s hard work and dedication in the field of archaeology, and a recognition of the immense value of his research.
Brown’s OBE award marked a significant moment in the history of archaeology, as it was the first time a self-taught archaeologist had been formally honoured in this way.
It was also a testament to Brown’s dedication and commitment to the field, and a reminder of the importance of preserving our archaeological heritage.
In the years since Brown’s OBE award, his work has been further acknowledged and celebrated.
In 2021, a film about his life and work, titled “The Dig”, was released, which brought his story to a wider audience.
The film was largely praised, with many critics noting the importance of Brown’s contribution to the field of archaeology.
Today, Brown’s legacy lives on in the preservation of the Anglo-Saxon burial site at Sutton Hoo and in the many studies and research projects which use his research as a foundation.
Brown’s OBE award in 1965 serves as a reminder of the power of dedication and hard work, and the importance of preserving our archaeological heritage.
Preservation of the Sutton Hoo Site
The preservation of the Sutton Hoo site is largely due to the work of self-taught archaeologist Basil Brown.
Brown was an unsung hero who never received much recognition for his work until the 1930s.
Brown used meticulous research to uncover the Anglo-Saxon burial site at Sutton Hoo, and his dedication to the preservation of the site is what made it possible for us to view it today.
Brown’s work was finally acknowledged in 1939 when he was made an honorary member of the British Museum.
His work was not only recognized, but it was also greatly appreciated.
His work was so important that in 1965 he was awarded an OBE for services to archaeology.
The recognition of Brown’s work was long overdue, and it is thanks to his meticulous research and dedication that the archaeological site at Sutton Hoo has been preserved for all to see today.
His dedication to uncovering the site and preserving its historical importance has been a major contribution to our knowledge of the Anglo-Saxon era.
The site is now a protected monument, and it is a testament to Brown’s dedication and hard work.
Final Thoughts
Basil Brown is an incredible example of what hard work and dedication can achieve.
Though unrecognised for much of his life, Brown’s contribution to the discovery of the Sutton Hoo archaeological site was finally acknowledged in the 1930s, and in 1965 he was awarded an OBE for services to archaeology.
Thanks to Brown’s meticulous research and dedication, the site has been preserved for all to see today.
We can learn a lot from Brown’s story, and it is a reminder to never give up on our dreams, no matter how hard the journey may be.