PEGGY PIGGOTT: WOMEN AND BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGY (1930-1945)

The 2021 film, The Dig, stimulated much interest in discovering more about Peggy Piggott, the archaeologist who first 'struck gold' at Sutton Hoo. Piggott was a leading British prehistorian, who produced over sixty published works for the field. Here we examine her early life and career, her training with the Curwens and the Wheelers, her marriage to Stuart Piggott, and her recognized expertise that led to her joining the Sutton Hoo team in 1939. During WWII, she established the modern standard for barrow excavation, and in 1944 was recognized by the Society of Antiquaries for her 'devotion to the study of archaeology'. Piggott provides a lens through which we consider the careers of 1930s women archaeologists - those factors enabling access to archaeology (class, wartime opportunity) and factors that limited progress (lack of a degree, marriage).

Automated summary

The 2021 film, The Dig, generated interest in Peggy Piggott, the archaeologist who made significant discoveries at Sutton Hoo. Piggott was a renowned British prehistorian with numerous published works in the field. This article examines her early life, career, training, marriage, and contributions to archaeology, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities faced by women archaeologists in the 1930s.