Iron Age hoards in Yorkshire reveal first evidence of four-wheeled wagons in Britain. Peter Heds discovered hoards with metal detector in Glassonby, North Yorkshire in 2021 Over 950 objects found in two separate hoards, approximately 300 whole objects About three-quarters of items were vehicle parts from four-wheeled wagons

Iron Age hoards in Melsonby, North Yorkshire: 950+ objects, 75% wagon parts! First definitive evidence of four-wheeled wagons in Britain, not chariots. Dating 1st century BC-AD. Iron tires, brackets, kingpins, steering mechanisms. Coral & glass on harness fittings. Discovered near ancient royal site at Stanwick by archaeologists including lead researcher Dr. Johnzd.

Key facts:

- Peter Heads discovered hoards with metal detector in Melsonby, North Yorkshire in 2021

- Over 950 objects found in two separate hoards, approximately 300 whole objects

- About three-quarters of items were vehicle parts from four-wheeled wagons

- Vehicle items included iron tires, brackets, lynch pins, yoke fittings, kingpins, bolts, and rain rings

- Radiocarbon dating places hoards in late 1st century BC to early 1st century AD

Key Facts

  • Peter Heds discovered hoards with metal detector in Glassonby, North Yorkshire in 2021
  • Over 950 objects found in two separate hoards, approximately 300 whole objects
  • About three-quarters of items were vehicle parts from four-wheeled wagons
  • Vehicle items included iron tires, brackets, lynch pins, yoke fittings, kingpins, bolts, and rain rings
  • Radiocarbon dating places hoards in late 1st century BC to early 1st century AD
  • Items deliberately dismantled, damaged, and deposited in ditches
  • Copper alloy and iron composition; coral and glass adornments on harness fittings well-preserved
  • Minimum of seven wagons represented in assemblage
  • Kingpins essential for steering mechanism indicate wagons, not chariots
  • First definitive evidence of four-wheeled vehicles in Britain
  • Publication in Journal of Antiquity by Durham University team led by Tim Moore

Related site: Glassonby — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.

Source: LIVE ~ PREHISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS From Around the World by The Prehistory Guys