A remarkable hoard of Iron Age metalwork, dating to around 2,000 years ago, has been uncovered in West Norfolk, offering new insight into the ceremonial and military practices of Britain’s Celtic communities.
The find was made during a routine archaeological excavation by Pre-Construct Archaeology, carried out as part of the standard planning process ahead of residential development.
What at first looked like a compact mass of soil was soon identified as one of the most significant Iron Age discoveries made in Europe in recent decades.
Central to the hoard is a near-complete bronze carnyx—a battle trumpet noted for its striking animal-headed design—alongside fragments from a second instrument.
Carnyces were used by Iron Age warriors across Europe to inspire their own forces and intimidate opponents, and were often portrayed by Roman writers and artists as exotic trophies of war. Only three examples have been found in Britain to date, and the Norfolk carnyx ranks among the most complete ever discovered.
Also included in the hoard is a sheet-bronze boar’s head, thought to have once decorated a military standard and to have symbolised power and ferocity in Celtic culture. Five shield bosses and a mysterious iron object of unknown purpose complete the assemblage, making the discovery exceptional not only within Britain but also in a wider European context.
Because of the objects’ extreme fragility, the entire group was carefully removed from the ground encased in a single block of soil. Senior conservator Jonathan Clark of Norfolk Museums Service is overseeing the meticulous micro-excavation process, which involves removing soil a few millimetres at a time, stabilising the metalwork, and recording each stage to ensure no archaeological information is lost.
“The condition of the carnyx and the associated objects is extraordinarily delicate,” Mr Clark said. “Every element has to be secured and documented before it can be safely separated from the surrounding soil.”
Conservation specialists at Norfolk Museums Service are now carrying out initial assessments, although extensive stabilisation will be required before detailed academic analysis can begin. Historic England is coordinating the project in collaboration with Pre-Construct Archaeology, Norfolk Museums Service and the National Museum of Scotland, drawing on expertise from across the UK.
The discovery will feature in an upcoming series of the BBC programme Digging for Britain, airing from 7 January 2026, giving viewers an early look at a hoard already being described as one of the most important Iron Age finds of the century.
