The Melsonby Hoard

On Wednesday, 22nd October 2026, Tom Moore, Professor of Archaeology at Durham University, gave a highly entertaining and informative talk about the Melsonby Hoard, the Iron Age find discovered by a local metal-detectorist near to Stanwick Fort.

Professor Moore could barely hide his enthusiasm and amazement at the scale and historical importance of the find, the largest hoard of Iron Age metalwork, horse harnesses, wagons raise money for the conservation  and jewellery yet found in Britain, which has opened up many insights and lines of enquiry into late-Iron Age Britain.

Some of the finds were unique, such as the remains of a four-wheel wagon, evidence of which has never been seen before from Iron Age Britain.

Two particular details brought out by the Professor were, firstly, that Stanwick was much more than a Hill Fort, but rather a Royal site; secondly, the fact that two hoards had been found on the site, which were contemporary with the Stanwick Hoard, discovered nearby in the 1840's.