Analysis

Analysis of the Melsonby Hoard has been limited by the treasure case process and is only just beginning.

However, we know it is a highly significant discovery, acting almost like an archaeological time capsule from the Iron Age, around 2,000 years ago. 

Initial assessment suggests the objects were buried in the first century AD near the time of the Roman Conquest of Southern Britain. 

Intriguingly, it seems that the vehicles found at Melsonby might have their closest parallels in European Iron Age vehicles from France, Denmark and Germany.

The two large vessels found at either end of the metalwork deposit in trench one were intentionally placed upside down. They include a large cauldron and a more enclosed vessel with highly decorated shoulders that has similarities to the Mediterranean wine-mixing bowls known as Lebes.

The cauldron bears some similarities to examples from Leicestershire in the Midlands of England, and from Wiltshire in southern England. However, those finds are not as large as the Melsonby cauldron, which retains unique features including elaborate fish motifs depicted in the base, that are very unusual for the period. The swirling pattern surrounding the fish echoes the late first millennium BC art style adorning metalwork from Europe, described as La Tène style.

The wine-mixing bowl has parallels in Etruscan vessels and is decorated with coral beads or studs and two cast copper alloy masks of human faces.

Bone, coral and glass

Weaponry is represented in the hoard in the form of iron socketed spear heads and the boss and spine of a shield, which has similarities with finds from fourth to second century BC Iron Age cemeteries in East Yorkshire.

The hoard also included a large iron mirror with a double looped, forged handle.

Several other tubular copper alloy objects can be seen encased in the block. The purpose of these is unclear. They could be adornments for the pole elements of vehicles or weapons. Their form is inconsistent with tubular instruments of the time lacking the diagnostic features of Iron Age carnyces and Roman cornu. For now, these remain a puzzle.

As well as metalwork, the hoard included one object made from carved bone (a possible decorative handle), coral fragments (mostly beads that are decorative features from the horse harness), and glass fragments that were decorative parts of other objects.

It is not currently possible to identify whether the objects in the hoard were manufactured locally or exchanged over long distances, but further materials analysis and comparison with collections, both in Britain and Europe, may offer more insights on that question.