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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

 

 

PRS Christmas meeting

  • Posted On: 10 November 2022
PRS Christmas meeting

Saturday 3rd December 2022: 2pm - 4pm Christmas meeting, joint with the Prehistoric Society

Venue: Swarthmore Education Centre, 2-7 Woodhouse Square, Leeds LS3 1AD

Currently all events are planned as face-to-face meetings, and with hybrid Zoom if possible.

Two talks on the theme: ‘Recent advances in our understanding of the Neolithic in North-West and South-West England’. See attached flyer.

Dr Gill Hey, Oxford Archaeology: 'New Research on the Neolithic of North-West England’

The North West of England has been regarded as something of a backwater in accounts of Neolithic Britain - an area of low-density settlement where a Neolithic way of life was adopted only slowly. Recent work undertaken in advance of development as well as in a research and community archaeology context has shown that this is not the case, and that the North West has much to contribute to understanding how and why society changed over the course of the Neolithic period.

Dr Jodie Lewis, University of Bradford: ‘New Research on the Neolithic of South-West England’

Our understanding of the Neolithic of south west England has a tendency to be dominated by a few key sites and regions, often at the expense of the rich archaeological landscapes at their margins. Recent research and excavations in  Somerset, west of the great monumental landscapes of Wessex, have revealed an unexpected array of Neolithic sites and activities, including some unusual depositional practices. Identifying such regional responses improves our understanding of Neolithic Britain more broadly and allows us to recognise the wide- ranging connections between people and places.

The meeting is open to all. Please email info.prehist@yahs.org.uk if attending the live talk to allow for catering.

To participate via Zoom, please register in advance: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlf-yorj8iHd1L3yC62VNEw3hXjqgsvLx2 

Documents to download

  • Flyer(.pdf, 421.35 KB) - 471 download(s)
Categories: Events, Pre History
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