The Yorkshire Museum’s new exhibition, as previewed by Yorkshire Bylines in March is now open to the public. Chariots, Treasure and Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard presents the unprecedented discovery of the largest hoard of Iron Age metalwork ever to be found in the United Kingdom. This exhibition marks the first time the objects have been on public display.
In early 2025, it was disclosed that an astonishing 800 objects had been discovered in 2021 by metal detectorist Peter Heads, outside the village of Melsonby in North Yorkshire. Apart from the sheer scale of the find, one notable feature was its proximity to Iron Age fortifications at Stanwick, which was a major centre of power for the Brigantes under Queen Cartimandua.
The quantity and variety of the Melsonby Hoard made it remarkable and attracted worldwide attention. There were fragments of vehicles, adornments from horse harnesses, weapons and hundreds of other individual items. The hoard includes partial remains of more than seven wagons and chariots, elaborate harnesses for at least 14 horses, three spears, two ornate cauldrons, and an iron mirror. Some of the objects showed similarities to finds in France and Denmark, as well as coral imported from the Mediterranean.
The significance of the hoard sheds new light on Iron Age Britain’s technological skills, artistry, trading links and society. But without urgent action, this treasure could have been lost to private collections or dispersed, even beyond the UK.
The broken, the burnt and The Block
A large amount of the hoard material had been burnt or broken at the time of burial, suggesting a people displaying their wealth and power by deliberately destroying the objects, possibly as part of a symbolic or ritual process.
Many items were discovered fused together in a huge mass that came to be known as The Block. Weighing in at over 150kg, it measures nearly one metre across. The Block, which has been preserved intact, takes pride of place in the exhibition, so visitors can see it exactly as it was found. Research, using sophisticated scanning techniques, has revealed tantalising fragments of the contents of The Block, but there is still much hidden in the layers, still waiting to be discovered.
What can we learn about the Iron Age?
The exhibition looks at our current understanding of Iron Age Britain, and questions how the hoard might confirm or challenge our preconceptions about pre-Roman life. What might it tell us about life and death, power and belief systems in the north of England over 2000 years ago? And what can we learn about the people who could have owned these objects, or the reason for burning, destroying and burying them?
Emily North, Curator of Archaeology at York Museums Trust and the lead curator of this exhibition said, “…we are delighted to share the first phase of research and conservation surrounding this exceptional discovery.
“The hoard continues to present compelling questions. Its composition, its purpose, and the circumstances under which it was buried, burnt, and broken remain the focus of ongoing investigation.”
Research and analysis
The hoard was excavated and conserved by archaeologists from Durham University and the British Museum, supported by £120,000 in funding from Historic England.
Besides the incredible artefacts themselves, there is an ongoing analysis of the hoard from archaeological, scientific and conservation points of view, in partnership with Durham University.
Professor Tom Moore, Department of Archaeology, Durham University, said, “The Melsonby Hoard is of a size that is exceptional for Britain and probably even Europe”.
“The hoard could lead to a major re-evaluation of how wealth and status were expressed during the Iron Age”.
To help visitors to get a better picture of the research happening behind the scenes, the exhibition features a set of digital resources alongside the objects.
Acquiring and conserving the hoard
Once the hoard had been valued – at £254,000 – it was necessary to raise that sum to prevent private sale and to keep it in the public realm, where it is available for study and display.
Acquisition of the hoard was the result of a successful fundraising campaign, including by the residents of Melsonby village, and a substantial grant of £192,096 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, currently celebrating 45 years of saving important heritage artefacts for the nation. Set up in 1980 as a fund of last resort, the fund has invested more than £430m to save nearly 1,500 of the most outstanding examples of UK heritage.
Simon Thurley, Chair of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, said: “The Melsonby Hoard throws bright new light on Iron Age life in Yorkshire and beyond. We are pleased to have supported York Museums Trust to acquire the hoard, carry out research to gain a deeper insight into its origin and history and now to put it proudly on display in the county in which it was buried.
“The Memorial Fund exists to save the UK’s most outstanding heritage and make it publicly accessible, in memory of those who have given their lives for the UK. We are delighted to count the Melsonby Hoard as part of the growing and timeless collection of UK heritage that belongs to all of us forever.”
Once acquired, professional conservation was needed to prevent further deterioration of the objects, and a Crowdfunder is still accepting donations towards the continuing conservation of the hoard. All donations are greatly appreciated by York Museums Trust.
Seeing the Melsonby Hoard
There may still just be time to see – and even feel – some 3D replicas from the Melsonby Hoard at the annual Eboracum Roman Festival in York Museum Gardens, which ends on Sunday 31 May, and which promises a whole host of opportunities to explore Roman life in Britain.
Chariots, Treasure and Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard is open now and until next summer at the Yorkshire Museum. The museum is open from Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-5pm. See the website for visitor, accessibiity and educational learning programme details.
Article adapted from a press release.
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