The teamwork behind the discovery of the Melsonby Hoard has been recognised with a national award from one of the UK's leading archaeological publications.
Readers of Current Archaeology magazine voted to make the major Iron Age find its 'Rescue Project of the Year'.
The hoard was an unexpected discovery in North Yorkshire and was swifty reported as a potential Treasure case.
This led to a rapidly developed, collaborative project involving Durham University, The British Museum and Historic England.
The find turned out to be a vast, internationally significant hoard of dismantled Iron Age wagons, horse harness, cauldrons and spears.
The project enabled careful excavation and detailed recording of the find alongside conservation and research to secure its preservation for future generations.
Public display
Discovered and reported in December 2021 by metal detectorist Peter Heads, the Melsonby Hoard was excavated in 2022 by a team of archaeologists from Durham University, including our Archaeological Services team. This was done with support and advice from The British Museum and over £120,000 grant funding from Historic England.
The Yorkshire Museum bought the entire hoard following a successful fundraising campaign and it will go on public display for the first time on 15 May 2026.
The rescue excavation of the Melsonby Hoards has been a fantastic example of collaboration between responsible metal-detectorist, Peter Heads, Durham University and partners at the British Museum and Historic England to ensure this nationally significant discovery could be safeguarded for the future.
Wealth and power
Buried around 2,000 years ago this internationally significant find reveals a wealthy and powerful local population leading up to the time of the Roman conquest in AD 43.
Over 800 items were found including 28 iron tyres from ornate wagons, at least six sets of high-quality harness for pairs of ponies, and a large cauldron unusually decorated with fish.
The discovery was made near the ancient royal site at Stanwick which lies in the region ascribed to the Brigantes and their leader Queen Cartimandua. It might represent a vast funerary display in honour of her ancestors.
We are proud to have supported this extraordinary project. It highlights the power of chance discoveries to transform our understanding of the past, and acts as an exemplar of the benefits of building positive partnerships between finders, landowners, museums and academia to make the most of them when they happen.
The Current Archaeology 'Rescue Project of the Year' award was presented at Current Archaeology Live on 28 February.
There to receive the award were Professor Emily Williams, of our Department of Archaeology, Jamie Armstrong, Senior Archaeologist in our Archaeological Services team, and Dr Sophia Adams, Curator at The British Museum.
L-R: Professor Emily Williams, of our Department of Archaeology, Dr Sophia Adams, The British Museum, and Jamie Armstrong, of our Archaeological Services team, collect the Current Archaeology Rescue Project of the Year award. The award was presented to the team behind the Melsonby excavation, Durham University, The British Museum and Historic England.
Our Archaeology department and Archaeological Services excavated and recorded the Melsonby Hoard from a field in North Yorkshire, supported by The British Museum and funded by Historic England. Picture credit: Department of Archaeology, Durham University.
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The crushed cauldron which was excavated as part of the Melsonby Hoard. Credit Durham University
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This award is thanks to the dedication and diligence of everyone involved in 'team Melsonby'. It has been such a memorable experience working together with the finder Peter Heads, Durham University, Historic England and Yorkshire Museum to reveal these objects and secure their future for the public.
