Iron Age hoard returning home following research

A VAST hoard of Iron Age objects buried 2,000 years ago is set to leave Durham University this week after two years of research work by experts.

- TONY HENDERSON

In 2021, metal detectorist Peter Heads came across the first evidence of what would prove to be almost 900 items in Melsonby, North Yorkshire, and alerted Durham University professor of archaeology Tom Moore, whom he knew from the academic’s previous studies in the area.

That sparked excavations by a team of archaeologists from Durham University led by Prof Moore, with £120,000 support from Historic England and advice from the British Museum.

Hoard burials were retrieved from two locations near each other and included items ranging from parts of at least seven vehicles such as chariots and waggons, horse harness pieces and spear heads, to a wine-mixing bowl, two ornate cauldrons, an iron mirror and personal adornments.