Iron age trumpet found in England reveals insights into Celtic life
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Jan 08, 2026, 21:29 IST
Found in Norfolk, a piece of ancient history whispers secrets from long before. This iron instrument, shaped like a beast's head, once roared across battlefields. Not just noise - its sound carried power, maybe even fear. Broken by time yet still speaking, it reveals how Celts used music when fighting. Far from mere decoration, its voice likely stirred warriors' courage. Now, after centuries buried, its story rises again.
TL:DR
A strange old war horn turned up in Norfolk while workers dug through soil. Not long ago, specialists from Historic England and National Museums Scotland called it a piece of Iceni heritage. Its voice may have once echoed across battlefields now silent. Sound itself might mean something different because of this find. Warfare back then feels less mysterious with such objects coming to light.
Buried deep in Norfolk soil, an ancient war horn emerged - nearly two thousand years since it last sounded. Not often does a carnyx make it through centuries with such clarity. Time usually takes more than it leaves behind. Discovery happened by chance, part of groundwork for new homes. Experts say few finds match its condition across the continent. Its shape, intricate and bold, hints at ceremonies long gone.
Last summer saw a find by archaeologists from Pre-Construct Archaeology, working through routine checks on private land required by regional development rules. A note issued by Historic England described the horn among treasures from the Iron Age deemed notable beyond national borders.
A wild boar head tops this ancient war horn, crafted in bent bronze. Standing tall, it once rang out above Celtic fighters on old European fields. What turned up recently holds pieces still joined - rare for such age. Another fragmented horn came from nearby ground. Officials keep the spot quiet, unnamed, so earth and past stay unbroken.
“This is one of the most exciting Iron Age discoveries in recent years,” said Mark Hinman, chief executive of Pre-Construct Archaeology, in the Historic England statement. “Our team suspected the site had potential, but no one expected to uncover something of this importance. They followed best practice to carefully recover these rare and fragile objects.”
Right now, specialists rely on scans - these reveal what shape the objects are in without touching a single piece.
Buried perhaps when Rome tightened its grip on Britain, the stash draws attention from Fraser Hunter - curator of Iron Age and Roman collections at National Museums Scotland, known widely for his work on war horns called carnyces. The items probably belonged to the Iceni, a people who rose up against imperial control led by Queen Boudica during 60 or 61 CE.
“This discovery will add enormously to our understanding of the Iron Age world,” Hunter said in the statement. “These instruments were central to warfare and ritual. Their study will reshape how we think about sound and communication in ancient Britain.”
Not many realize how old brass roots go, but John Kenny does. A trombone teacher at London’s Guildhall of Music and Drama, he studies ancient musical tools. In messages sent to CNN, he described the carnyx in detail. That horn comes from far back, linked distantly to today's trumpets and tubas. Its voice can roar like storm wind or fade into near silence. Some say it echoes across time.
A fresh look at old findings unfolds through teamwork led by Historic England, joining forces with Pre-Construct Archaeology, Norfolk Museums Service, and National Museums Scotland. Though many questions remain, Tim Pestell - senior curator at Norfolk Museums Service - finds value in the chance to explore why people long ago hid such items, along with their deeper significance.
“The Norfolk Carnyx Hoard allows us to tell a story about ritual, warfare, and belief from 2,000 years ago,” Pestell said. “It is an extraordinary window into the past.”
FAQs
A strange old war horn turned up in Norfolk while workers dug through soil. Not long ago, specialists from Historic England and National Museums Scotland called it a piece of Iceni heritage. Its voice may have once echoed across battlefields now silent. Sound itself might mean something different because of this find. Warfare back then feels less mysterious with such objects coming to light.
Buried deep in Norfolk soil, an ancient war horn emerged - nearly two thousand years since it last sounded. Not often does a carnyx make it through centuries with such clarity. Time usually takes more than it leaves behind. Discovery happened by chance, part of groundwork for new homes. Experts say few finds match its condition across the continent. Its shape, intricate and bold, hints at ceremonies long gone.
Last summer saw a find by archaeologists from Pre-Construct Archaeology, working through routine checks on private land required by regional development rules. A note issued by Historic England described the horn among treasures from the Iron Age deemed notable beyond national borders.
A wild boar head tops this ancient war horn, crafted in bent bronze. Standing tall, it once rang out above Celtic fighters on old European fields. What turned up recently holds pieces still joined - rare for such age. Another fragmented horn came from nearby ground. Officials keep the spot quiet, unnamed, so earth and past stay unbroken.
“This is one of the most exciting Iron Age discoveries in recent years,” said Mark Hinman, chief executive of Pre-Construct Archaeology, in the Historic England statement. “Our team suspected the site had potential, but no one expected to uncover something of this importance. They followed best practice to carefully recover these rare and fragile objects.”
Right now, specialists rely on scans - these reveal what shape the objects are in without touching a single piece.
Buried perhaps when Rome tightened its grip on Britain, the stash draws attention from Fraser Hunter - curator of Iron Age and Roman collections at National Museums Scotland, known widely for his work on war horns called carnyces. The items probably belonged to the Iceni, a people who rose up against imperial control led by Queen Boudica during 60 or 61 CE.
“This discovery will add enormously to our understanding of the Iron Age world,” Hunter said in the statement. “These instruments were central to warfare and ritual. Their study will reshape how we think about sound and communication in ancient Britain.”
Not many realize how old brass roots go, but John Kenny does. A trombone teacher at London’s Guildhall of Music and Drama, he studies ancient musical tools. In messages sent to CNN, he described the carnyx in detail. That horn comes from far back, linked distantly to today's trumpets and tubas. Its voice can roar like storm wind or fade into near silence. Some say it echoes across time.
A fresh look at old findings unfolds through teamwork led by Historic England, joining forces with Pre-Construct Archaeology, Norfolk Museums Service, and National Museums Scotland. Though many questions remain, Tim Pestell - senior curator at Norfolk Museums Service - finds value in the chance to explore why people long ago hid such items, along with their deeper significance.
“The Norfolk Carnyx Hoard allows us to tell a story about ritual, warfare, and belief from 2,000 years ago,” Pestell said. “It is an extraordinary window into the past.”
FAQs
- Artifact Location Found?
A metal horn turned up in eastern England when archaeologists were checking the land. In Norfolk, they found it by chance while doing their usual work. - Who discovered it?
The team found the hoard during an archaeological dig tied to development plans. - What makes this find matter so much?
A full-bodied carnyx, experts claim, might just reshape how we see Iron Age battle cries and tunes. This find stands out - rare, intact, speaking volumes through corroded bronze. - What happens next?
First up, old objects get careful fixing plus study work done by groups that protect history. Museums join in too, looking close at what each piece tells us over time.