Iron Age Artifacts Unearthed From RAF Airfield, Researchers Believe Objects Are Parts of an Ancient Chariot

Military personnel and veterans unearthed Iron Age artifacts from the United Kingdom, which have now been declared a treasure. The items were excavated underneath an airfield at RAF Valley in Anglesey, stated Gov.UK. Researchers believe these objects are part of an ancient chariot. Examinations unveiled that the components were 2,000 years old.

Researchers believe the items belong to the famous Llyn Cerrig Bach hoard, unearthed in the 1940s from the RAF Valley. It contained around 150 iron and bronze objects, all determined to have been deposited between 300 B.C. and 100 A.D. The hoard has since been identified as one of the most important collections from the Iron Age to be ever located in the U.K.

In the recent findings, there was a terret ring that experts think helped in guiding the reins of a Celtic chariot. Researchers noted that red-colored material was embedded into the ring, a distinctive pattern observed in only three other rings excavated from Wales.

Sqn Ldr (Retired), David Ulke, who uncovered the ring was in pursuit of the item, but could not believe his eyes when he had it in his hands. "We’d been briefed on the sort of things we could expect to find, so when I uncovered the piece, I was pretty sure it was an Iron Age terret ring. To say I was over the moon is probably an understatement! I’ve been involved in archaeology for many years and this was by far the most significant recovery I have ever made," he said.

A horse bridle was also in the collection, which was dated back to 60 A.D. by experts. Researchers believe the bridle was sported by horses used to pull the Iron Age chariot. Authorities and officials were delighted with these new finds. "These finds at RAF Valley are extremely exciting for all involved; the Llyn Cerrig Bach hoard is of national importance for Wales, and the United Kingdom as a whole. These new discoveries have confirmed the suspicions of earlier archaeologists that there was more to be found from this particular hoard," DIO’s Senior Archaeologist, Richard Osgood, said. He was also happy that the finding gave veterans an enriching experience. 

Senior Coroner for North Wales (West) investigated the collected items from the RAF Valley and declared them a treasure. The items will be given to Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, home to many other Llyn Cerrig Bach hoard artifacts. 

The excavation took place somewhere around April 2024 and was conducted by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO). Personnel and veterans from Operation Nightingale participated in the project. Operation Nightingale is an initiative that aims to support the mental health of military officials. "Operation Nightingale is an innovative and award-winning program that consistently shows the benefits that archaeology can offer to military personnel and veterans,"

Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns, DSO OBE MC MP, said. "Congratulations to those who carried out the excavation and made this exciting discovery.  Through their hard work, we are uncovering and preserving our history for future generations."