Thetford dig unearths Iron Age war trumpet and boar standard

Archaeologists were stunned to discover two rare Iron Age objects during the same excavation.

The Pre-Construct Archeology team were working on a building site a few miles outside Thetford, Norfolk, when they stumbled upon the treasure last year.

It was based on the most advanced war trumpet, or carnyx, ever found in Europe, as well as the first boar's head standard found in Britain.

Senior project manager Gary Trimble told BBC Two's Digging for Britain that cornices are “extremely rare… boar standard, that's even rarer.”

“We have our fair share of treasures in Norfolkbut it's so, so special – it's really very special,” he added.

Excavation director Peter Crowley said he had an intuition about the site before the excavation began.

“It was like one of those special sites that you visit every now and then,” he said.

Celtic tribes throughout Europe used the war trumpet to intimidate their enemies and to inspire and guide warriors during battle.

These included the Iceni tribe of East Anglia, led by the queen Boudica in her failed revolt against the Romans in 60–61. AD.

Carnicus fascinated the Romans, who often depicted them as spoils of war.

Conservator Jonathan Carr said the Thetford find was made “from extremely thin sheets of metal that became extremely brittle after 2,000 years in the ground.”

And also be one of only three cornices found in Britainit was “the most complete carnyx ever found, with a unique tube, mouthpiece and bell intact”, he added.

Dr Fraser Hunter, Curator of Iron Age and Roman Culture at National Museums Scotland, said: “I have looked at cornices from all over Europe, and the full examination and preservation of these incredibly fragile remains will change the way we look at Iron Age sound and music.”

The boar's head standard was made of sheet bronze. In battle it would be held in the air like a flag and used as a rallying point for troops.

Hunter said: “They were very fierce animals to deal with on the hunt, so the symbolism of the boar has a lot to do with its strength – a very suitable opponent in battle.”

Treasure dating back to around 50 BC. e. and 50 AD BC, included five shield projections and an iron object of unknown origin.

Once opened, it was carefully removed from the ground in a block of soil and scanned to determine where the items were before conservation began.

The find has been reported to the coroner and an investigation will take place to determine if it is treasure. His long-term future has not yet been decided.

Historic England is working with Pre-Construct Archaeology, Norfolk Museums Service and the National Museum of Scotland to co-ordinate research and conservation of the finds.

Dr Tim Pestel, Senior Curator of Archaeology at Norfolk Museums, said: “This find is a powerful reminder of Norfolk's Iron Age past which, thanks to the history of Boudica and the Iceni people, still retains its ability to fascinate the British public.

“The Norfolk Carnyx Hoard will provide archaeologists with an unprecedented opportunity to examine a range of rare objects and ultimately tell the story of how they came to be buried in the county 2,000 years ago.”

Claudia Kenyatta CBE and Emma Squire CBE, co-directors of Historic England, said it was a “wonderful discovery”.

“We look forward to uncovering and sharing the history of the Norfolk community that owned and used these items,” the couple added.

The discovery story will be featured on BBC Two's Digging for Britain on January 14 at 21:00 GMT or on BBC iPlayer.