Archaeology & History

Celtic warrior unearthed in major Iron Age find

By T.K. Randall
December 10, 2019 ·  5 comments

This decorated shield is nothing if not impressive. Image Credit: MAP Archaeological Practice Ltd. Dating back 2,200 years, the grave was discovered in the middle of a housing development near the town of Pocklington.

Chief among the artefacts unearthed at the site was an intricately detailed shield measuring approximately 75cm in diameter and featuring a distinctive sphere in the center.

A chariot, as well as the remains of two ponies buried in a leaping pose, were also found in the grave alongside the remains of a man in his 40s who was seemingly an individual of significant standing."We don't know how the man died," said Ware. "There are some blunt force traumas but they wouldn't have killed him. I don't think he died in battle; it is highly likely he died in old age."

"What his role was I can't tell you."

The find has been described as one of the most important discoveries of its kind in British history.

"The magnitude and preservation of the Pocklington chariot burial has no British parallel, providing a greater insight into the Iron Age epoch," said Ware.

Iron Age shield found in Pocklington is "one of most important ancient finds this millennium". https://t.co/tYIohQsD8h pic.twitter.com/SxuUviOEib

— CARAA (@CARAA_Center) December 5, 2019

Source: Live Science | Comments (5)

Tags: Iron Age