The Early Iron Age Metalwork Hoard from Stanwick, N.R. Yorks

Abstract

Some time before 1845 a remarkable hoard of Early Iron Age metalwork, almost entirely in bronze, was accidentally discovered in the vicinity of the parish of Stanwick St John, North Riding of Yorkshire, and near the great earthworks of the same period later to be excavated by Sir Mortimer Wheeler. The hoard was presented to the British Museum in 1847, and though well known, has never been studied or published in its entirety, despite its importance in the history of Celtic art in Britain. The present paper essays such a full treatment, discussing first the complicated circumstances of the actual find-spot, the probable nature of the deposit, and its technological aspects. This is followed by a descriptive survey and analysis, and a catalogue with a full set of drawings by the writer. References in the text and footnotes are to the bibliography on pp. 55–8.