Iron Age hoard to go on public display this summer

A collection of more than 800 Iron Age artefacts found in a North Yorkshire field will go on public display for the first time.

The Melsonby Hoard is believed to be one of the UK's largest finds from the period, and, following a fundraising campaign, was acquired by the Yorkshire Museum.

The collection, which features chariot wheels, cauldrons and spears, will displayed in an exhibition at the museum in York from May onwards.

Dr Andrew Woods, from York Museums Trust, said he was "beyond excited" to share the story of the hoard so far.

The items were first uncovered in Melsonby, North Yorkshire, by metal detectorist Peter Heads and excavated with the help of Durham University.

The discovery was reported to the authorities in December 2021.

Site excavation commenced the following year, with the support of the British Museum and a grant from Historic England.

The Iron Age stretched between about 800 BC and 43 AD, ending with the Roman invasion.

At the time of the discovery, the hoard was described by Woods as an "unprecedented find, which will help us to understand more about this remarkable period in our history".

Last year, the Yorkshire Museum launched a fundraising campaign to permanently secure the hoard for its collections.

Ultimately, it raised £54,000 in donations from the public, bolstered by the National Heritage Memorial Fund and £20,000 in other donations.

The museum trust has said the exhibition would explore what "this once in a generation discovery" reveals about current understandings of late Iron Age Britain.

Woods thanked Durham University, Historic England and the British Museum for their "support and guidance", as well as "the overwhelming generosity given across the fundraising campaign, which allowed the Yorkshire Museum to acquire the hoard and put it on display".

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