Archaeologists have made a stunning discovery in the quiet countryside of west Norfolk, unearthing a 'remarkable' collection of Iron Age objects that promises to reshape our understanding of Britain's ancient past. The find, which includes one of the most complete Celtic battle trumpets ever discovered in Europe, was made during a routine excavation ahead of residential development in the summer of 2025.
A Haul of Ancient Treasures
The centrepiece of the hoard is a near-complete carnyx, a long, slender bronze trumpet topped with an animal head, used by Celtic tribes to rally warriors and intimidate enemies. This newly excavated example is one of only three known from Britain and ranks among the best-preserved found anywhere in Europe. These instruments so fascinated the Romans that they frequently depicted captured carnyces as war trophies.
But the carnyx was not alone. The excavation, carried out by professional heritage services provider Pre-Construct Archaeology, also revealed a trove of other significant items. These include a finely crafted sheet-bronze boar’s head, believed to have been part of a military standard, five shield bosses, and an iron object whose purpose remains a mystery to experts.
From Field to Laboratory
The delicate process of recovering the fragile objects was a testament to modern archaeological skill. Mark Hinman, chief executive of Pre-Construct Archaeology, praised his team's work, noting the project manager had 'a feeling' the site would be special. "They discovered something completely unexpected, paused for breath, then followed best excavation practice to recover these rare and fragile objects," he said.
After discovery, the entire assemblage was carefully lifted within a block of soil. Initial scanning mapped the position of the items before conservation experts at Norfolk Museums Service began the painstaking task of removing each piece for preliminary examination. The objects are in a fragile state and will require extensive stabilisation before detailed research can commence.
Unlocking the Iron Age World
The legal status of the hoard is expected to be determined by a coroner in early 2026, which will decide its ultimate fate. Meanwhile, a major collaborative research effort is being coordinated by Historic England, involving Pre-Construct Archaeology, Norfolk Museums Service, and the National Museum of Scotland—a leading authority on carnyces.
Experts are thrilled by the potential of the 'Norfolk Carnyx Hoard'. Dr Fraser Hunter, Iron Age and Roman curator at National Museums Scotland, stated the find would "add enormously to our understanding of the Iron Age world." Dr Tim Pestell, senior curator of archaeology for Norfolk Museums Service, called it a "powerful reminder of Norfolk's Iron Age past" linked to the famed Iceni tribe led by Boudica.
Claudia Kenyatta CBE and Emma Squire CBE, co-chief executives of Historic England, issued a joint statement hailing the "remarkable discovery" as "hugely significant for our understanding of ancient British culture." The public will get its first look at the story of the initial discovery in the new series of Digging For Britain on BBC Two, in an episode scheduled for broadcast at 9pm on January 14.
