Secrets Of The Melsonby Hoard – Largest Iron Age Treasure In The UK

Conny Waters - AncientPages.com - Archaeologists from Durham University have made a significant discovery with the excavation of one of the largest and most important Iron Age finds in the UK.

Known as the Melsonby Hoard, this collection was uncovered near Melsonby village in North Yorkshire and contains over 800 objects dating back approximately 2,000 years. Among these artifacts are vehicle parts from wagons or chariots, including 28 iron tyres, as well as a cauldron and bowl likely used for wine mixing.

The lidded vessel or cauldron from the Melsonby hoard features two mask-like human faces as decorative elements on its shoulder. One of these faces is particularly notable for its intricate design and craftsmanship, reflecting the artistic practices of the period in which it was created. Credit: Durham University

The find also includes elaborate horse harnesses, bridle bits, ceremonial spears, and some harness pieces adorned with red Mediterranean coral and colored glass that are unusually large for their time.

The Melsonby Hoard is exceptionally large for Britain and possibly even Europe.

Several objects exhibit signs of exposure to intense heat before burial, though there is no evidence they were burned at their discovery site. Among the findings are partially melted copper alloy objects scattered across various locations within the deposit, with some surfaces bearing traces of charcoal. An initial examination of iron tyres suggests possible burning.

The wooden parts of the iron wheels seem to have been broken off before deposition and potentially burnt out. Many items appear intentionally deformed and rendered unusable; for instance, the tyres are severely buckled, and a cauldron was found upside down with indications it was deliberately crushed by a large boulder.

Experts from Durham University, the British Museum, and Historic England examine the Melsonby Hoard. Credit: Durham University

These observations imply that materials from trench one might have been placed on a funerary pyre or burned for another purpose before being deposited. Although this act could be associated with funeral rites, it does not constitute a grave since no human remains were discovered in the deposit. Instead, these objects likely represent an intentional destruction of significant wealth, possibly signifying a commemorative feast marking an important event.

This discovery could prompt a major re-evaluation of how wealth and status were expressed during the Iron Age while enhancing our understanding of vehicle use at that time.

A block of the Melsonby Hoard after partial excavation. Credit: Durham University

"Whoever originally owned the material in this hoard was probably a part of a network of elites across Britain, into Europe and even the Roman world.

The destruction of so many high-status objects, evident in this hoard, is also of a scale rarely seen in Iron Age Britain and demonstrates that the elites of northern Britain were just as powerful as their southern counterparts," Professor Tom Moore British and European Iron Age specialist/Department of Archaeology said in a press release.

Initially discovered by metal detectorist Peter Heads in December 2021 with permission from the landowner, it was excavated in 2022 by Durham University's Department of Archaeology alongside their professional Archaeological Services team. The project received guidance from The British Museum and over £120,000 in grant funding from Historic England.

See also: More Archaeology News

Currently housed at Durham University for stabilization and recording during its legal treasure case process—which has concluded—the objects are set to be part of a fundraising campaign launched by the Yorkshire Museum to secure them for national heritage.

Written by Conny Waters - AncientPages.com Staff Writer