Detectorist finds ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ Iron Age hoard that could change Britain’s history

Professor Tom Moore, head of archaeology at Durham University, holds a decorative copper alloy finial from a huge Iron Age hoard discovered in a Yorkshire field - (Durham University/PA Wire)

A remarkable Iron Age hoard, unearthed in a Yorkshire field, is prompting archaeologists to reassess the wealth and power dynamics of northern Britain two millennia ago.

The discovery, dubbed the Melsonby Hoard, contains more than 800 items, including remnants of wagons, ceremonial spears, and pony harnesses, offering a glimpse into the lives of the elite in the 1st century AD.