Save The Melsonby Hoard - Yorkshire Museum

The Yorkshire Museum aims to save, conserve and share a once-in-a-generation discovery: the Melsonby Hoard. Unearthed recently in North Yorkshire, this incredible collection of over 900 Iron Age objects is the largest of its kind ever found in the UK. The hoard includes chariot wheels, beautifully decorated horse-harness fittings, cauldrons and other vessels, and weapons - some with imported luxury materials like coral and remarkable Mediterranean-style designs that hint at international connections from over two thousand years ago.

“The Melsonby Hoard is of a scale and size that is exceptional for Britain and probably even Europe.” – Professor Tom Moore, Head of the Department of Archaeology, Durham University

The Melsonby Hoard is a game-changing discovery, shedding new light on Iron Age Britain’s technological skill, artistry, and society. But without urgent action, this treasure could be lost to private collections or dispersed beyond the UK. We need your help to acquire, conserve, research, and exhibit these amazing objects in the Yorkshire Museum, so everyone can share in their story. Together, we can save this incredible piece of history for future generations to enjoy.

Help Us Save the Melsonby Hoard

Buried for over 2,000 years, the Melsonby Hoard is an astonishing Iron Age discovery that could transform our understanding of Britain’s past.

 “If we don’t act now, this once-in-a-generation prehistoric treasure could be scattered or lost forever.” – Dr Andrew Woods, Head of Collections and Research, York Museums Trust

This is more than just a collection of objects - it’s a glimpse into a lost world of chariots, power, prestige and tribal loyalty. Likely owned by an Iron Age leader, a warrior, or elite household during a time of transformation and change, these treasures were discovered just miles from Stanwick, the royal capital of the Brigantes tribe. Their significance points to a possible connection to Queen Cartimandua, one of the most powerful and controversial rulers in Britain at the time of the Roman invasion. As a queen who allied with Rome while ruling a fiercely independent tribe here in Yorkshire, her story - like ours today - is one of shifting power, political intrigue, and survival.

Bringing the Hoard Home to Yorkshire

This incredible discovery was made just 50 miles from the Yorkshire Museum, where it would be housed alongside other such nationally significant finds. It is a vital piece of Yorkshire’s past, telling the story of the people who lived and ruled here two millennia ago.

But right now, its future is at risk.

“The proximity of the hoard to Stanwick suggests a possible link to Queen Cartimandua’s royal court – a connection that could redefine our understanding of Iron Age Britain.” – Emily North, Curator of Archaeology, Yorkshire Museum

This campaign ends on 25 May 2025 and if we don’t raise the funds to secure the hoard, it could be lost forever; dispersed into private collections or even taken out of the UK. This once-in-a-generation discovery could be scattered, instead of being kept together where it belongs - here in Yorkshire, for everyone to experience and enjoy.

York Museums Trust has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring the hoard home, conserve it, and put it on public display at the Yorkshire Museum. Here, it will be preserved and studied by experts, allowing us to unlock its secrets and share its story with the world.

We believe this extraordinary discovery should be for everyone. That’s why, from the very start of this campaign, part of the hoard will be displayed at the Yorkshire Museum for free, so visitors can share in this discovery and be part of its future.

But we can’t do this without you.

Donate Today, Before It’s Too Late

This is our chance to bring the Melsonby Hoard home -to keep it in Yorkshire, just miles from where it was discovered.

Caractacus, King of the Silures, deliver'd up to Ostorius, the Roman General, by Cartismandua, Queen of the Brigantes - Francesco Bartolozzi.  

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cartimandua.jpg

“The Melsonby Hoard is a remarkable piece of our shared history. By securing it for public display, we ensure that everyone has the chance to discover, learn from, and be inspired by this extraordinary find, now and for generations to come”

Dawn Clements, Head of Venues and Development, York Museums Trust

If we don’t act now, this priceless piece of our past could be lost to Yorkshire forever.

Donate today and help keep this extraordinary treasure where it belongs, here in Yorkshire, for everyone to experience.

 *Thanks go to the Department of Archaeology, Durham University for image permissions