A near-complete Iron Age battle trumpet and a bronze boar’s head that once decorated a military standard are among a hoard of “remarkable” artefacts uncovered in Norfolk.
The discoveries were made in the west of the county during archaeological investigations carried out ahead of a planned housing development.
The bronze trumpet, known as a carnyx, is exceptionally rare: it is only the third example ever found in Britain and ranks among the most complete specimens discovered anywhere in Europe.
The Carnyx
The animal-headed instruments were used by Celtic tribes across Europe to rally warriors in battle and intrigued the Romans, who often portrayed them as captured trophies of war.
The internationally significant hoard also includes a sheet-bronze boar’s head that once formed part of a military standard.
Stacks of shield bosses covering the head of the carnyx
Five shield bosses and an enigmatic iron object that has baffled archaeologists were also uncovered on privately owned land last summer, though the exact location has not been disclosed.
After the discovery, the items were removed encased in a block of soil and later scanned to determine their original positions within it.
Senior conservator Jonathan Clark, carefully removing the hoard from its soil block
Conservation experts at Norfolk Museums Service then carefully extracted each object.
Because the finds are extremely fragile, they will require extensive stabilisation before detailed research can begin.
Dr Tim Pestell, from Norfolk Museums Service
Dr Tim Pestell, senior curator of archaeology at Norfolk Museums Service, said the discovery is a striking reminder of Norfolk’s Iron Age heritage which, through the story of Boudica and the Iceni, continues to capture public interest in Britain.
He added that the Norfolk Carnyx Hoard offers archaeologists a rare opportunity to study several exceptional artefacts and, ultimately, to understand why they were buried in the county around 2,000 years ago.
As the discovery includes two or more base metal objects from the same site, it may qualify as treasure trove.
A coroner will decide the hoard’s legal status later this year, a ruling that will determine the next steps.
