An incredible collection of Iron Age artefacts has been unearthed in West Norfolk, England.
The hoard includes a near-complete Iron Age battle trumpet, known as a carnyx, and parts of another.
Embellished with animal heads, these ornate bronze instruments were used by Celtic tribes to inspire their soldiers in battle.
The carnyx is a rare discovery in Britain – it's only the third to be found here – but also further afield, with experts saying it's one of the most complete ever discovered in Europe.
The find was made as part of standard planning procedures by Pre-Construct Archaeology – a commercial heritage services provider in the UK.
Further metal objects were uncovered alongside the musical instrument, including a sheet-bronze boar’s head and five shield bosses (the piece of material at the centre of a shield).
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“Before this dig began our project manager had ‘a feeling’ that this site would be special,” says Pre-Construct Archaeology's chief executive Mark Hinman.
“We are so impressed with the team responsible for this find. They discovered something completely unexpected, paused for breath, then followed best excavation practice to recover these rare and fragile objects.”
The artefacts were carefully removed from the ground within a block of soil, before undergoing a preliminary examination by conservation experts from Norfolk Museums Service.
Next, Historic England, working alongside Pre-Construct Archaeology, Norfolk Museums Service and the National Museum of Scotland, plans to stabilise the items before detailed research and conservation of the objects can begin.
Dr Fraser Hunter, a leading authority on carnyces from the National Museums of Scotland says, “this extraordinary find will add enormously to our understanding of the Iron Age world.
“I’ve looked at carnyces from around Europe, and the full research and conservation of these incredibly fragile remains will reshape our view of sound and music in the Iron Age.
“The carnyces and the boar-headed standard are styles well known on the continent and remind us that communities in Britain were well-connected to a wider European world at this time.”
More details of the find will appear on the second episode of BBC Two's new series of Digging for Britain, which airs on 14 January at 9pm.
Top image: shield bosses covering the head of the carnyx. Credit: Norfolk Museum Service
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