The Melsonby Hoard

In December 2021 amateur metal detectorist, Peter Heads, alerted archaeologists to a find at Melsonby near the Great North Road in North Yorkshire.

After 3 years of excavation and research the Melsonby Hoard was announced to the world as one of the most significant archaeological finds in northern England – “one which will change historians’ understanding of the Iron Age, around 2,000 years ago”.

Previous archaeological investigations in the area were already starting to inform us about the wealth and connectivity of northern Iron Age tribes with the rest of the world. Melsonby is just 2 miles south of the huge oppidum at Stanwick, right on one of the putative “roads” alongside “Scots Dyke” at the point where the Stainmore pass over the Pennines branches from our north-south route.

But then there is the content of the Melsonby hoard. The 800 items include numerous horse harness fittings and wheel rims. Archaeologists suggest the latter may be from four-wheel wagons as well as the chariots more often associated with Iron Age transport. And many of the items are not local; they come from around Britain, and as far afield as the Mediterranean.

This is the largest single deposit of horse harness and vehicle parts excavated in Britain. It is significant not just for the quantity of objects buried together 2,000 years ago but also the quality and range of items. These finds shed new light on collections at the British Museum that were discovered in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Dr Sophia Adams, British Museum

There was another hoard found nearby in 1843 and dubbed the Stanwick Hoard. Now in the British Museum it comprises 140 metal artefacts including a notable bronze horse head mask.

As our knowledge progresses so the origin of the Great North Road is being pushed back in time.

Bronze horse head from the 1843 Stanwick Hoard, probably a decoration from a wooden drinking “bucket”. Image Credit – British Museum

The Finds

Artefacts include vehicle parts from wagons or chariots, including 28 iron tyres. There were bridle bits and horse harness pieces adorned with red coral and coloured glass. There were also ceremonial spears and bowls, possibly used for wine mixing.

Intriguingly, it seems that the vehicles found at Melsonby might have their closest parallels in European Iron Age vehicles from France, Denmark and Germany.

The presence of materials imported from the Mediterranean, and a type of continental European wagon new to Britain, challenges the idea that Iron Age Britons were isolated. Instead, it tells us that “wealthy” Iron Age people in northern England had contacts extending out across Europe.
Duncan Garrow, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Reading

The finds were crumpled, encrusted, and wooden elements had either been burnt or rotted away. The archaeology specialists used an array of advanced techniques to reveal clues as to the origins of the objects.

Archaeologists excavate the multiple iron tyres from cart or chariot wheels. Image Credit: Durham University

CT scan of the damaged cauldron base featuring fish within swirling La Tène style decoration. Credit: µ-VIS X-ray Imaging Centre, Southampton University

A copper alloy strap union (harness fitting) with blue glass. Image Credit: Durham University

Why were they deposited?

It would appear that the objects were associated with some important gathering and ceremony; perhaps the funeral of a tribal leader. The objects point to feasting and celebration and then the burning of valuable offerings. We know that horses and chariots were important to the people of this time – evidenced by striking chariot burials as seen at Ferrybridge.

Although the objects might have been burnt on a funerary pyre, no human remains were found at Melsonby.

Who deposited them?

The only historical accounts of the Iron Age tribes are from the rather one-sided record provided by Roman chroniclers. We do know that the Brigantes were the leading tribe (or coalition of tribes) which ruled northeast England and the Pennines. We believe their most important tribal centre was at Stanwick. The Brigantes, under their “Queen” Cartimandua became allies of the invaders during the early years of their occupation.

When were they deposited?

The archaeological reports to date are rather vague on the dating of the Melsonby hoard. The general descriptor is “2,000 years old”, from 1st Century BC – 1st Century. It will be interesting to find out more precisely how the date of this burial ceremony fits with the development of Stanwick and the growth in continental influence.

Where are the objects now?

The site was excavated in 2022 by a team from Durham University’s Department of Archaeology with support from The British Museum and Historic England. The objects have been kept at Durham University for recording and conservation. In 2025 the Yorkshire Museum launched a fundraising campaign to secure the Melsonby Hoard for the nation.

Durham University

Overview provided by Professor Tom Moore of Durham University:

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Mask-like human face on the lid of one of the vessels reflecting both Mediterranean and Iron Age styles. Image Credit – Durham University