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The Yorkshire Archaeological & Historical Society

Since 1863

For everyone interested in Yorkshire's past

  1. Sections
  2. Prehistory Research
  3. Section programme

Programme 2025: Key events

Prehistory Research Section events:

2025
September

Saturday 6th September 2025 in-person talk at 2pm – 3.15pm
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

 

 

Robert Vickers

  • Posted On: 11 December 2018

With sorrow we share the news that Robert Vickers died on Friday. This is a huge loss to the society, and to all of Robert's many friends in YAHS. As the bad news circulated, there came a wave of admiration and appreciation, for all that he's done, and just for being a lovely man to know and work with. We hope that gives some comfort to his wife, Jill, whose loss is of course by far the greatest. 

Robert's main enthusiasm was industrial history, particularly relating to motor vehicles. For many years he has been at the heart of the Industrial History Section, which he chaired, and for which he organised events such as the day school at Armley Mills in March. Above all, though, he'll be remembered by the society for two great achievements. One is YIHO, now called Industrial Heritage Online as, through Robert's contacts in Greater London and elsewhere, the project is expanding far beyond Yorkshire's boundaries. Less than two weeks ago, Robert was emailing about this: "IHO really does start to look national." It grew from Robert's dissatisfaction with the software available for an online map-based database - and now, thanks to his determination, IHO has its own, and is developing a national profile.

His other great work for the society is this very website, which he took a central part in developing. It launched in February after several years of gestation and many complexities. Robert was always there, working patiently through the process and dealing with the inevitable glitches and frustrations. The photo was taken in February at Purple Creative's office near Richmond, where Robert represented the society at the handover. 

Robert had been increasingly unwell during the past months, and was in the process of handing over some responsibilities which were proving physically difficult. His aim was to keep going for as long as possible, working on his key projects for YAHS. There were hopes that he could continue for months or years longer. So it has come as a terrible shock that he's gone so soon. Robert was at work and emailing about IHO almost up to the last. He will be sorely missed.

 

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