Melsonby Hoard Saved for Yorkshire Thanks to National Heritage Memorial Fund and Public Support

A major Iron Age discovery – the Melsonby Hoard – has been secured for the Yorkshire Museum, ensuring over 800 rare artefacts remain in the region where they were found.

Unearthed near the village of Melsonby in North Yorkshire in 2021, the hoard was discovered by a metal detectorist and later excavated by archaeologists from Durham University. It includes more than 800 items dating back over 2,000 years – a remarkable collection featuring chariot wheels, cauldrons, ceremonial spears and horse bridles.

National and Local Support Preserves the Hoard

Thanks to £192,096 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and more than £70,000 in public and private donations, the hoard has been permanently acquired by the Yorkshire Museum. Support also came from Historic England, the British Museum, and expert input through the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

The hoard was reported under the Treasure Act 1996 and is now set to become a centrepiece for ongoing research and public engagement in Yorkshire’s archaeological story.

One of the UK’s Most Important Iron Age Discoveries

The variety and quantity of objects within the Melsonby Hoard are highly unusual. Researchers believe the find could transform understanding of Iron Age life in the north of England, particularly in relation to ritual and ceremonial practices.

The objects are undergoing initial conservation to stabilise them and prepare them for public display. Meanwhile, researchers will investigate the artefacts’ creation, context and the reasons behind their burial in such a rich and varied assemblage.

Yorkshire Museum Leads the Next Chapter

The Yorkshire Museum will continue fundraising to support the long-term conservation, interpretation and exhibition of the hoard. These efforts aim to make the discovery accessible to as many people as possible, both in Yorkshire and nationally.

Kathryn Blacker, Chief Executive of York Museums Trust, said the Melsonby Hoard is a significant piece of Yorkshire’s history and securing the funding to acquire it for the nation is a huge achievement. She added: “Thanks to the incredible support of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, as well as generous donations from members of the public, the hoard will remain here in Yorkshire, to be made available for everyone to see and to enjoy.”

Simon Thurley, Chair of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, said: “The Melsonby Hoard throws bright new light on Iron Age life in Yorkshire and beyond. We are pleased to support this acquisition which will keep the hoard intact, in the county in which it was buried and enable research to take place to gain a deeper insight into its origin and history.”

Dr Andrew Woods, Head of Research and Collections at York Museums Trust, called the acquisition the beginning of the story. “Next, the Yorkshire Museum will work in partnership to undertake a careful programme of conservation to reveal more of the hoard’s beauty and to keep it protected for future generations,” he said. “There will also be a research project to understand the stories of creation and deposition. Over the coming years the hoard will be put on display, and we cannot wait to share it with our vis