Colossal Iron Age hoard found by detectorist changes what we know about life in ancient Britain

It’s a pretty good rule of thumb that if historians declare your archaeological find is not just impressive but has actually altered the way they view the past, you’ve stumbled on something important.

And that’s just what has happened to metal detectorist Peter Heads. His discovery in a field near Melsonby in North Yorkshire has led to the excavation of over 800 Iron Age artefacts.

As well as making it one of the biggest hoards from the era ever unearthed in the UK, it has also changed perceptions of the wealth, power and international reach of Britain’s elite class some 2,000 years ago.

Melsonby Hoard dig — “Quite simply, this is one of the most important and exciting Iron Age period discoveries made in the UK," said chief executive of Historic England Duncan Wilson of the hoard – seen here during the excavation and recording stage. Credit: Department of Archaeology, Durham University

Melsonby Hoard: why is it so significant?

The make-up of items in the hoard is highly unusual. The dig revealed components from at least seven wagons and/or chariots, including no fewer than 28 iron tyres, along with elaborate pony harnesses, bridle bits, ceremonial spears and a bowl probably used for mixing wine.

The quantity and variety of these objects have caused academics to reassess their understanding of the nature and use of vehicles at the time. The fact some of the items echo finds made in continental Europe suggests technology was shared by people living great distances from one another.

Intriguingly, many of the objects were found to have been either burnt or broken. Experts suggest this was a deliberate act by their owners: showing to others that they were so wealthy and powerful they could destroy their own possessions. This revelation could well lead to a major re-think about how wealth and status were expressed.

Professor Tom Moore, head of the Department of Archaeology, Durham University, commented, "The Melsonby Hoard is of a scale and size that is exceptional for Britain and probably even Europe. 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.”

Watch: archaeologists excavate the Melsonby Hoard, described by Dr Andrew Woods, senior curator at the Yorkshire Museum as "an unprecedented find in the north which will help us to understand more about this remarkable period in our history. Credit: Alexander Jansen, Durham University, Department of Archaeology

How was the Melsonby Hoard discovered?

Although news of the hoard has only just been announced, Peter Heads’ discovery was made in December 2021. The metal detectorist – who had permission from the landowner to search the field in question – immediately reported his find.

The site was then fully excavated by archaeologists from Durham University with specialist support from the British Museum and funding from Historic England.

Cutting-edge X-ray CT scanning technology, based at the University of Southampton’s μ-VIS X-Ray Imaging Centre, was used to identify the objects and how they were positioned so they could be excavated undamaged.

How to see the Melsonby Hoard

The treasure trove has been valued at £254,000 and the Yorkshire Museum in York is launching a fundraising campaign to secure it for the nation.

In the meantime, anyone who fancies having a first look at the Melsonby Hoard should head to Yorkshire Museum where a selection of objects will be on display from today.