‘Extraordinary’ Iron Age war trumpet uncovered in England

An almost complete battle trumpet dating back to around 2,000 years from the Iron Age has been discovered in England.

According to the archaeologists who discovered it, the carnyx, as it is known, was part of an “internationally significant” hoard of Iron Age objects discovered during a routine survey of a private site in Norfolk, eastern England, intended for residential properties.

A team of experts from Pre-Construct Archeology discovered the treasure during a dig in west Norfolk which was part of the standard planning process for such construction projects last summer.

Parts of another carnyx were also found at the site, the location of which was not disclosed. Celtic tribes across Europe used these bronze, animal-headed instruments to inspire their troops in battle. The recent example is one of the most complete versions ever found in Europe, the national heritage body, Historic England, said in a statement.

Other rare items found at the site included a sheet bronze boar’s head, from a military standard, as well as five shield bosses and an iron object of unknown origin.

“Before these excavations began, our project manager had a ‘feeling’ that this site would be special,” Mark Hinman, managing director of archaeological services company Pre-Construct Archaeology, said in the Historic England statement.

“They discovered something completely unexpected, paused to catch their breath, and then followed best excavation practices to recover these rare and fragile objects.”

The team carefully removed objects encased in a block of earth from the site. An initial analysis revealed the position of the various artefacts, allowing conservation experts from the Norfolk Museums Service to remove them for a preliminary examination.

The ancient items are in a very fragile condition, meaning they need to be stabilized before more detailed research can be carried out, Historic England said.

Fraser Hunter, Curator of the Iron Age and Roman Period at the National Museums of Scotland, is a leading authority on carnyces. He believes the loot was buried around 2,000 years ago and is linked to the Celtic Iceni tribe who occupied the area. The Iceni revolted against Roman rule in AD 60 or 61 under the leadership of their queen Boudica.

Hunter said in the release that the discovery “will add enormously to our understanding of the Iron Age world.”

He went on to say: “I have examined carnyces from across Europe, and the comprehensive research and conservation of these incredibly fragile remains will reshape our view of sound and music in the Iron Age. »

What did it look like?

John Kenny, a musical archaeologist and professor of trombone at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, told CNN in an email: “The carnyx is a distant ancestor of our modern brass instruments, but different enough to convey a feeling of both familiarity and ‘otherness.’

“Immensely powerful when played at full volume, it is also possible to play in a low voice and combine with delicate instruments like flute, harp, string quartet and human voice.”

Historic England said it was co-ordinating further research and conservation work, working with Pre-Construct Archaeology, the Norfolk Museums Service and National Museums Scotland.

Tim Pestell, senior curator of archeology at the Norfolk Museums Service, said in the release: “The Norfolk Carnyx Hoard will provide archaeologists with an unprecedented opportunity to investigate a number of rare objects and ultimately tell the story of how they came to be buried in the county two thousand years ago. »

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