An Iron Age carnyx discovered in Norfolk
An almost complete battle trumpet dating back around 2,000 years to the Iron Age has been unearthed in England, reports BritPanorama.
According to the archaeologists who found it, the carnyx, as it is known, was part of an “internationally significant” hoard of Iron Age objects discovered during a routine investigation of a privately owned site in Norfolk, eastern England, earmarked for residential properties.
A team of experts from Pre-Construct Archaeology came across the hoard during an excavation in west Norfolk as part of the standard planning process for building projects last summer. Alongside the carnyx, parts of another similar instrument were also found at the undisclosed site. Celtic tribes across Europe utilized these animal-headed bronze instruments to inspire their troops in battle. The recent example is one of the most complete versions ever found in Europe, said Historic England.
Other rare items found included a sheet-bronze boar’s head, originally from a military standard, five shield bosses, and an iron object of unknown origin.
“Before this dig began, our Project Manager had ‘a feeling’ that this site would be special,” Mark Hinman, chief executive of Pre-Construct Archaeology, stated. “They discovered something completely unexpected, paused for breath, then followed best excavation practice to recover these rare and fragile objects.”
The team carefully lifted the items, which were encased in a block of soil, from the site. An initial scan revealed the position of the various artifacts, enabling conservation experts from the Norfolk Museums Service to remove them for preliminary examination. However, the ancient items are in a very fragile condition and must be stabilized before more detailed research can be conducted, according to Historic England.
Fraser Hunter, the Iron Age and Roman curator at National Museums Scotland and a leading authority on carnyces, believes the haul was buried around 2,000 years ago, likely linked to the Celtic Iceni tribe, famously known for their revolt against Roman rule in 60 or 61 AD under Queen Boudica. He remarked that the discovery “will add enormously to our understanding of the Iron Age world.”
Hunter further explained, “I’ve looked at carnyces from around Europe, and the full research and conservation of these incredibly fragile remains will reshape our view of sound and music in the Iron Age.”
What did it sound like?
John Kenny, a music archaeologist and professor of trombone at London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama, described the carnyx as a distant ancestor of modern brass instruments, noting that it is both familiar and distinct. “Immensely powerful when played at full volume, it is also possible to play whisperingly quietly, and to combine it with delicate instruments like flute, harp, string quartet, and the human voice,” he stated.
Historic England is coordinating further research and conservation work with Pre-Construct Archaeology, Norfolk Museums Service, and National Museums Scotland. Tim Pestell, senior curator of archaeology for Norfolk Museums Service, expressed that the Norfolk Carnyx Hoard will offer archaeologists an unparalleled opportunity to investigate a variety of rare objects and ultimately tell the story of how they came to be buried in the county two thousand years ago.
