A huge Iron Age hoard discovered in a Yorkshire field could lead to a revaluation of the wealth and status of the elite living in northern Britain 2,000 years ago.
The Melsonby Hoard, comprising more than 800 items, was found in 2021 by metal detectorist Peter Heads who reported the location to the proper authorities.
Experts say the discovery could be one of the most important ever found in the UK.
The collection had lain untouched in two ditches near the North Yorkshire village of Melsonby since the middle of the 1st century.
The Melsonby Hoard, comprising more than 800 items, was found in 2021 by metal detectorist Peter Head
PA
Professor Tom Moore, head of archaeology at Durham University, called it a "once-in-a-lifetime discovery".
The hoard includes partial remains of more than seven four-wheeled wagons or two-wheeled chariots.
There were elaborate harnesses for at least 14 ponies, three ceremonial spears and two ornate cauldrons or vessels.
One vessel was lidded and likely used as a wine mixing bowl.
Some harness pieces were adorned with Mediterranean coral and coloured glass, and are larger than ones typically found in Britain.
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The hoard includes partial remains of more than seven four-wheeled wagons or two-wheeled chariots
PA
Dr Sophia Adams from the British Museum noted: "This is the largest single deposit of horse harness and vehicle parts excavated in Britain."
Iron tyres, which were fitted to the outside of wooden wheels, had been intentionally bent out of shape.
A large amount of the material had been ritualistically burnt or broken.
Previously, some have thought power and wealth in pre-Roman times were limited to the south of present-day England, but this discovery challenges that view.
Professor Moore explained: "The Melsonby Hoard is of a scale and size that is exceptional for Britain and probably even Europe.
"Whoever originally owned the material in this hoard was probably a part of a network of elites across Britain, into Europe and even the Roman world."
He added: "Whoever is doing this is incredibly wealthy and it challenges the idea that northern Britain was a backwater, when it clearly was not.
There were elaborate harnesses for at least 14 ponies, three ceremonial spears and two ornate cauldrons or vessels
PA
"It shows they are of the same status, if not more powerful than the elites in southern Britain."
Melsonby is around a mile from Stanwick, the powerbase of the Brigantes tribe who controlled a large part of what is now Yorkshire in pre-Roman times.
Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: "Quite simply, this is one of the most important and exciting Iron Age period discoveries made in the UK."
The dig was supported by a £120,000 grant from Historic England.
One ditch was examined on site while another was extracted whole and X-rayed at Southampton University.
The Yorkshire Museum is launching a fundraising campaign to secure the hoard, valued at £254,000, for the nation.
A selection of the items is now on display at the museum in York.
