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The Yorkshire Archaeological & Historical Society

Since 1863

For everyone interested in Yorkshire's past

Programme 2025: Key events


Prehistory Research Section events:

2025
September

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

Possible Archaeological Events for Your Diary:

N/A

Guest Lectures (open to all) 

Bradford University: School Archaeological and Forensic Science guest lectures series.

Lectures start at 5.30pm in Richmond Building (room E59) and as a webinar.

Please note - Your E-Mail Address:

The majority of members now receive their notices and newsflashes electronically. If your contact details have changed, please let me know, so that our address list remains up-to-date. If you wish to change the way you receive your section information, please drop me a line - either by email, or by post: John Cruse, 26 Logan Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9AR

Above programme updated 4th August 2025

 

 

15th June Prehistory Members’ Morning talks

  • Posted On: 2 June 2024

Prehistory Members’ Morning talks 10.45 – 12.30 pm
In-person meeting at Swarthmore Education Centre, 2-7 Woodhouse Square, Leeds
LS3 1AD

Two 30 minute talks from members on their research, with time for discussion. Tea/coffee on arrival at 10.45am.

Steve Sherlock: 'An Introduction to the Neolithic Saltern at Street House'

This talk will focus on the significance of, post excavation analysis, and ongoing research of a Neolithic saltern at Street House, in North Yorkshire. The site has provided the first evidence for salt manufacture occurring during the Neolithic in the UK, remarkable for both its survival and the wealth of evidence for this industrial archaeology from 6,000 years ago. We are just going into a major programme of analysis, leading to publication and I will present the programme of planned works and information about a conference in the Autumn of 2024.

Tony Hunt, Nova Lee, Tracy Green & Jon Kenny: ‘Community Investigation – is there a Hammerton Henge?’

The siting of a curvilinear feature beneath Kirk Hammerton, lying in the valley of the River Nidd, North Yorkshire, has sparked much interest locally and beyond. Tony Hunt, YAA Mapping and Jon Kenny, Community Archaeologist, supported by Nova Lee, local landowner, have inspired the local community to investigate - Does Kirk
Hammerton sit on top of an ancient henge? This talk will reveal their journey of community participation and discovery.

See attached flyer.

Categories: Pre History
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