Aegis-Scot Archaeology: Rediscovering the Silent Star, Alice ‘Lavender’ Lee
Discover how Aegis-Scot Archaeology blends historical research with modern challenges, highlighting Alice ‘Lavender’ Lee’s forgotten beauty and legacy.
By
Dec 29, 2025
Revisiting Alice Lavender Lee, the Beauty Who Spoke Without Words
NATIONWIDE - DECEMBER 2025 - (USAnews.com) — In a small, often overlooked corner of history, the life of Alice ‘Lavender’ Lee remained a mystery for decades. A beauty queen in the silent film era, Alice Lee’s name faded from popular memory, overshadowed by the evolving glamour of Hollywood’s golden age. But, as with many forgotten stories, Alice’s legacy was not entirely lost. Through the work of Marie-Claire Rackham-Mann and her company, Aegis-Scot Archaeology Ltd, Alice’s story is not only rediscovered, but redefined for a new generation. This is more than just an archaeology company’s quest; it is the tale of persistence, intellectual pursuit, and the fight to bring a voice to a woman who had been silenced by time.
The Journey of Aegis-Scot Archaeology Ltd
Aegis-Scot Archaeology was founded by Marie-Claire Rackham-Mann in 2017, following her completion of a Master's degree from the University of Highlands and Islands in Orkney. Initially, the company served a clear and straightforward purpose: providing small-scale archaeological research and services to Orkney and the North East of Scotland. The focus was on traditional archaeological studies, but the tides of fate would soon push the company down an unexpected path.
In 2020, when the world was gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was not just public health that was disrupted, but entire industries. Archaeological digs slowed, offices closed, and research projects were postponed. But for Rackham-Mann, it was a chance to breathe life into a project that had long sat on the backburner: the story of Alice ‘Lavender’ Lee, a silent film actress and Miss Pictures pageant winner from 1918. A story that, despite its brief brilliance, had been largely forgotten by the public.
With a rich history in the arts, Rackham-Mann saw a deep connection between her background and Alice's journey. This was more than a simple research project, it was a passion that would fuel a series of co-authored papers and a full-length book that would explore not only Alice’s rise to fame but the social and political challenges she faced as a woman in the 1920s entertainment industry.
A Sudden Change in Focus
Rackham-Mann’s passion project, however, faced its own hurdles. The company had been working on a proposal to introduce LiDar technology to Orkney and the Middle East, a service that would aid in archaeological research and preservation efforts. The project had great potential, and Rackham-Mann believed it could redefine the future of archaeology in the region. However, just as the funding seemed secure, Rackham-Mann found herself embroiled in a troubling case of intellectual property theft.
The local authority, which had been involved in the project’s funding, misappropriated Rackham-Mann's intellectual property and tendered her project as a commercial contract, awarding it to another company. This act of corruption left Rackham-Mann devastated and caused significant delays in her LiDar project. But adversity sparked new determination. Rather than allowing the betrayal to derail her, she decided to shift her focus back to her book and continue her work on the forgotten beauty that was Alice Lee.
The book, currently in manuscript form, is set to be published around February or March of the year. It will explore not only Alice’s rise to fame but the social and political challenges she faced as a woman in the 1920s entertainment industry. In many ways, it mirrors Rackham-Mann’s own journey as a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated field, dealing with the complexities of intellectual property, corruption, and the persistence required to succeed.
Unveiling the Untold Story
“Alice Lavender Lee: Grace in Motion” is a title that reflects the essence of the book and its subject. Alice Lee was more than just a beauty queen; she was a trailblazer in her own right. During a time when women’s roles were largely shaped by social expectations and the aftermath of the First World War, Alice embodied the ideal qualities of femininity, elegance, and grace. She became a role model for young women, much like Charlie Chaplin became a champion for social issues in his films.
The Miss Pictures pageant, which crowned Alice in 1918, served as a precursor to the Miss World pageants that would come to dominate the global stage decades later. But beyond the crown, Alice’s story highlights the struggles and complexities of making a career in the entertainment industry as a young woman. The silent movie industry was not without its challenges, and Alice’s experiences, as recounted in the book, paint a poignant picture of the era’s social landscape.
In telling Alice’s story, Rackham-Mann aims to shed light not only on the challenges faced by women of that time but also on the perseverance required to succeed in a world that often sought to keep them quiet. The book will explore Alice’s contributions to the silent film industry, her role as an early social justice advocate, and the way her beauty and abilities opened doors for her. It will also delve into the darker aspects of the UK’s nascent film industry, offering a glimpse into the complexities that Alice and other women in the industry faced as they navigated a world that was still figuring out its place for women in the public sphere.
A Unique Approach to Archaeology and Historical Research
What sets Aegis-Scot Archaeology apart is the company’s willingness to explore areas not traditionally associated with archaeology. While many archaeology firms focus on digging up artifacts and studying ancient civilizations, Rackham-Mann’s approach is broader, more inclusive. She combines archaeology with a deep dive into historical figures and cultural studies, examining how the past intersects with the present.
Her work on Alice Lee is a prime example of this philosophy. While other archaeologists might shy away from researching a figure so closely tied to the entertainment world, Rackham-Mann saw an opportunity to explore the social forces at play during the early days of cinema and women’s rights. For her, it’s about creating a richer, more diverse narrative that incorporates not just the history of ancient civilizations but also the untold stories of individuals whose lives, though less celebrated, helped shape the course of history.
Alice’s Legacy
As the book nears completion, Aegis-Scot Archaeology continues to push boundaries, not just in terms of archaeology, but in the realm of historical research. The company’s upcoming projects include further publications, continued research into Alice Lee’s life and legacy, and the exploration of new archaeological methods and technologies.
Rackham-Mann’s unwavering commitment to her work, despite the setbacks, has become a testament to the power of persistence and the importance of never allowing external forces to dictate one’s path. As Aegis-Scot moves forward, its founder’s story serves as a reminder that history is often written by those brave enough to stand up and reclaim the forgotten.
Learn More:
