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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

 

 

Prehistory Research Section Field Visit - Ingleborough Massif - Saturday 10 August 2019 - CANCELLED

PLEASE NOTE: THIS TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS

  • Posted On: 18 July 2019
Prehistory Research Section Field Visit - Ingleborough Massif - Saturday 10 August 2019 - CANCELLED

PLEASE NOTE: THIS TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS

This field trip will provide members with the chance to see one of the most interesting long cairns on the Ingleborough Massif, the potential Neolithic monument on Dudderhouse Hill. It is set in a most dramatic and beautiful position above Crummackdale. This will be followed by a visit to an undated complex enclosure with round houses, other cairns and a cairnfield on High Brae, within the Ingleborough National Nature Reserve, which has been recently surveyed by the Ingleborough Archaeology Group.

The walk is approximately 7 miles. After the initial climb (max. height 400m OD) it is relatively easy going along well used paths, with mostly gates rather than stiles, and occasional rough ground.  Well behaved dogs on a lead are allowed.

We will meet at Horton-in-Ribblesdale railway station (SD 803 726) at 10.30am.  A train from the Leeds direction (9.17am) arrives at 10.31am, for those who would prefer to use rail.  Homeward bound trains are at 16.20pm and 17.48pm (arr. Leeds 17.39pm and 19.08pm respectively).  There is a small public carpark in Horton, with loos. Otherwise you can usually park along the road.

You will need a picnic, drink, stout boots and appropriate outer clothing depending on the weather forecast. 

If you are coming by train please check the timetable – the above times are correct at the moment but I am not responsible for changes to the timetable, strikes etc!

Please let the Visits Secretary, Yvonne Luke, know if you are intending to come, so we know who to wait for on the day! 

          Horton in Ribblesdale - map showing carpark and rail station to west.

Categories: Pre History
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