Saturday 6th September 2025 in-person talk at 2pm – 3.15pm FULLY BOOKED - NO TICKETS AVAILABLE
Joint meeting of the Prehistoric Society and Prehistory Research Section of the Yorkshire Archaeological and Historical Society. In person meeting open to all, guests are welcome.
Venue: Leeds City Museum, Millennium Square, Leeds, LS2 8BH
Dr. Sophia Adams, The British Museum
‘The massive Melsonby Iron Age hoard: from bits of bits to wheels and wagons’
The Melsonby hoard is a vast deposit of Late Iron Age horse harness and vehicle remains found in North Yorkshire and recently declared Treasure. Discovered and reported by detectorist Peter Heads, it was investigated by Durham University and The British Museum, with support from Historic England. The excavation revealed an incredibly well-preserved metalwork assemblage. When the find was made public in spring 2025 the story quickly spread, captivating audiences across the globe. Consisting of the ironwork from at least seven vehicles, ornate harness pieces, cauldrons, spears and more, this 2000-year-old deposit is astounding. In this presentation we will explore the discovery together, marvelling at the objects, peering through x-rays and revealing how these items were buried and how they are creating the opportunity to review past understandings in new light.
Sophia Adams PhD, FSA, is curator of the First Millennium European and Roman Conquest period Collections at The British Museum. She first joined the museum in 2009 as a PhD student (with the BM and the University of Leicester) and returned in 2021 following post-doctoral research projects at SUERC, the University of Glasgow and the University of Bristol. Sophia has published collaborative research on specific artefacts, from The Enderby shield to Bronze Age bronze moulds, and wider contextual studies including the social context of later prehistoric metalworking.
Register for a free ticket: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/yahs/t-zzvjlro
Any enquiries to: info.prehist@yahs.org.uk