Join Marie-Claire Rackham-Mann and Aegis-Scot Archaeology in uncovering Alice ‘Lavender’ Lee’s forgotten legacy.
The Intersection of Archaeology and Film History
Aegis-Scot Archaeology was founded by Marie-Claire Rackham-Mann in 2017, following her studies in Orkney. Initially focused on traditional archaeological research, Rackham-Mann’s interests expanded into cultural history, particularly exploring untold stories of individuals who shaped their eras. A key example is her rediscovery of Alice ‘Lavender’ Lee, a silent film star and beauty queen whose early fame was overshadowed by larger figures in the entertainment industry.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rackham-Mann began researching Alice’s life, seeing an opportunity to tell a story long forgotten. Alice Lee had been crowned the first winner of the Miss Pictures pageant in 1918, which marked the beginning of her brief yet impactful career in cinema.
Alice ‘Lavender’ Lee: Beauty, Grace, and Strength
Marie-Claire Rackham-Mann’s forthcoming book, Alice Lavender Lee: Grace in Motion, aims to shed light on the complex life of this early 20th-century icon. Alice was more than a beauty queen; she symbolized the evolving roles of women in cinema and society. Rackham-Mann’s research reframes Alice not only as a figure of physical beauty but also as a trailblazer in a male-dominated film industry.
The book delves into how Alice’s rise to fame during the silent film era reflected broader social changes, including the growing recognition of women’s independence and agency. Through Alice’s story, Rackham-Mann offers insight into the challenges women faced in pursuing careers in the arts and entertainment during the early 1900s.
A Struggle for Recognition
Marie-Claire Rackham-Mann’s own experiences in navigating intellectual property protection and professional gatekeeping parallel the struggles of Alice ‘Lavender’ Lee, whose legacy was often overlooked in a male-dominated film industry. Both women faced challenges in ensuring their contributions were recognized.
In her forthcoming book, Rackham-Mann not only restores Alice’s place in cinema history but also highlights her activism and refusal to conform to the narrow roles assigned to women on and off screen. Through Alice’s story, the book engages with contemporary debates about women’s authorship, visibility, and creative control.
“Alice’s fight to be remembered, and my own efforts to protect my work, are part of the same narrative: women asserting their place in history,” says Rackham-Mann.
Aegis-Scot Archaeology: Bridging the Past and Present
Aegis-Scot Archaeology is presented as a multidisciplinary practice that extends beyond the study of ancient sites and material remains. Under the direction of Rackham-Mann, the firm incorporates archaeological methods into the investigation of historical figures and cultural histories. Alice ‘Lavender’ Lee serves as a key case study in this approach, with her life story examined through both historical research and archaeological perspectives.
In the work on Alice Lee, Aegis-Scot combines traditional research methods with contemporary technologies. While the firm plans to employ LiDAR and other spatial analysis tools in the Middle East, the research on Alice Lee focuses on existing historical data to build a picture of life in Mexborough, Yorkshire, during Alice’s formative years in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This data helps contextualize the societal and demographic factors that shaped her early life, providing a foundation to understand her in the broader historical landscape.
Aegis-Scot’s Methodology: Expanding Historical Inquiry
Aegis-Scot’s methodology challenges traditional boundaries by incorporating archaeology and digital technologies into the study of more recent cultural heritage, including cinema venues and performance spaces. This framework emphasizes the recovery and preservation of stories that have been marginalized or omitted from mainstream historical narratives, particularly those of women and underrepresented groups.
Through its work on Alice Lee, Aegis-Scot demonstrates how archaeological methods and archival research can be integrated to reassess and protect overlooked elements of modern history. The firm’s commitment to preserving these voices underscores the importance of ensuring that forgotten stories, particularly those of women, are heard and remembered.
The Ongoing Legacy
As the publication of Rackham-Mann’s book approaches, the legacy of Alice ‘Lavender’ Lee is being reexamined and brought back into the cultural spotlight. Aegis-Scot Archaeology’s interdisciplinary approach continues to make strides in both archaeology and historical research. The company’s work reflects a commitment to unearthing and preserving the lives of individuals whose contributions have been overlooked, and their efforts are reshaping our understanding of history.
Through her research, Marie-Claire Rackham-Mann exemplifies how dedication to uncovering forgotten histories can bring hidden voices back into the public consciousness. As Aegis-Scot continues its work, Rackham-Mann’s efforts remind us that history is shaped not only by the famous but also by those whose stories remain obscured.
Learn More:
