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Melsonby Hoard will remain in Yorkshire and shed new light on Iron Age life
An extraordinary collection of Iron Age artefacts has been acquired by Yorkshire Museums Trust thanks to funding from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and a public fundraising campaign.
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Saving the hoard
In 2021, metal detectorists discovered hundreds of Iron Age artefacts buried near the village of Melsonby in North Yorkshire. A team of archaeologists from Durham University excavated the hoard, uncovering over 800 objects including chariot wheels, cauldrons, horse bridles and ceremonial spears.
With financial support from Historic England and expert advice from the British Museum, the team were able to stabilise and begin researching the extraordinary find.
Plans were also put in motion to give the hoard a home in The Yorkshire Museum, keeping it in the county in which it had been buried for 2,000 years.
The National Heritage Memorial Fund awarded £192,096 towards the acquisition. Further funding came from the public via a successful online crowdfunder. The Melsonby Hoard now belongs to the public and will be cared for and put on display at The Yorkshire Museum.
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Shining a light on Iron Age life
The unusual quantity and variety of the objects in the Melsonby Hoard make it a groundbreaking discovery for Iron Age research and for reassessing our understanding of Iron Age life in the north of England.
The Yorkshire Museum now plans to continue its fundraising efforts to support the conservation, research and display of the hoard. It will become an important part of the museum’s public programme, allowing its secrets to be shared with museum visitors.
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 support this acquisition which will keep the hoard intact, in the county in which it was buried and enable research to take place to gain a deeper insight into its origin and history.”
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Dr Andrew Woods, Head of Research and Collections at York Museums Trust, said: "The support from the public, other heritage organisations and the National Heritage Memorial Fund means the Melsonby Hoard remains in Yorkshire for the public.
"This is only the beginning of the story, next the Yorkshire Museum will work in partnership to undertake a careful programme of conservation to reveal more of the hoard’s beauty and to keep it protected for future generations. There will also be a research project to understand the stories of creation and deposition. Over the coming years the hoard will be put on display, and we cannot wait to share it with our visitors.”
Explore more heritage treasures
Discover other heritage treasures the National Heritage Memorial Fund has helped to save for the UK in our project archive.