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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

 

 

YAHS & PRS Craven museum visit

  • Posted On: 23 August 2021

MEMBERS ONLY, PLACES MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE - Contact info.prehist@yahs.org.uk for further information on booking

YAHS and Prehistory Research Section visit to 

Craven Museum, Town Hall, High Street, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 1AH 

Thursday 9 September 2021 

The Craven Museum re-opened in June 2021 after a National Heritage Lottery funded redevelopment.  The collections include Shakespeare’s First Folio - one of only four on display in the whole world! They cover geology, archaeology, the history of Craven and many other subjects which are now presented in a handsome new gallery­­. The Archaeology of Craven is given pride of place, with artefacts from the palaeolithic period through to the modern era on display.  Artefacts and finds from Elbolton Cave in Wharfedale and Victoria cave are on view, as well as a glimpse of the rich lithics collections and other artefacts of interest. 

YAHS + Prehistory Research Section members 11.30am – 12.45pm: A brief introductory history of the Craven Museum by a member of staff, followed by a self-guided tour of the collections. 
Prehistory Research Section members only: 2.00pm – 3.30pm - a chance to have a hands-on session with a curator looking in more detail at prehistoric artefacts in their collections.
Categories: Pre History
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