29 July 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Military Team Discovers Remarkable 2,000-Year-Old Celtic Artifacts, Including Chariot Parts and Bridle-Bit

Military personnel and veterans at RAF Valley in Anglesey on the island of Anglesey, Wales, have uncovered sensational Iron Age treasures.

A team of military personnel and veterans has unearthed remarkable artifacts, including parts of a Celtic chariot, a terret ring, and a bridle-bit for a horse, all dating back approximately 2,000 years. These invaluable discoveries have been officially designated as national treasures and will soon be incorporated into the collections at Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales.

In April, an archaeological dig led by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) brought together military personnel and veterans from Operation Nightingale, an initiative designed to support the health and wellbeing of veterans. This project provided a unique opportunity for these individuals to actively participate in the excavation, contributing to both their personal development and the discovery of significant historical artifacts.

Richard Osgood, a senior archaeologist with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), expressed enthusiasm about the recent discoveries at RAF Valley, stating that they are “extremely exciting for all involved.” He emphasized the national significance of the Llyn Cerrig Bach hoard for both Wales and the United Kingdom. Osgood noted that these new findings have validated the earlier suspicions of archaeologists regarding the potential for additional artifacts from this particular hoard.

The Llyn Cerrig Bach hoard, initially discovered in the 1940s during the expansion of airfields to accommodate American bombers in World War II, stands as one of the United Kingdom’s most significant collections of Iron Age artifacts. This hoard comprises over 150 iron and bronze items, which date from approximately 300 BCE to 100 CE, and were interred in a sacred lake by early inhabitants of the region, reflecting the cultural and ritualistic practices of Iron Age societies.

An Iron Age artefact found on Operation Nightingale Credit: Harvey Mills
An Iron Age artefact found on Operation Nightingale Credit: Harvey Mills

Among the newly uncovered artifacts is a terret ring, a crucial component used for guiding chariot reins, which features a rare red inlay. This particular terret ring is noteworthy as it is one of only three known examples in Wales, highlighting its exceptional craftsmanship and the technological sophistication of the period. The item was unearthed by retired RAF Squadron Leader David Ulke, whose involvement underscores the collaborative efforts between military personnel and archaeologists in uncovering and preserving the region’s rich historical heritage.

Another notable discovery from the excavation is a horse bridle-bit, dating to approximately 60 CE, which was found by RAF Flight Sergeant Graham Moore. This artifact shares a similar shape with examples from a hoard located at Polden Hill in Somerset. Moore described the challenging search, stating, “The search for the lost hoard was hard work, and we had a huge area to cover. It wasn’t until the final day—just 10 minutes before we finished—that I discovered the horse bridle-bit. Initially, the team thought I was joking, but they quickly realized I had found something special.”

The excavation underscores the site’s historical continuity over the centuries. Group Captain Gez Currie, the Station Commander at RAF Valley, emphasized the importance of the location, stating that it serves as a reminder of its significance in Welsh history. He noted that the preparations at RAF Valley in the 1940s, aimed at preventing invasion, revealed the site’s historical relevance and its connections to an earlier Roman invasion.

The significance of the Llyn Cerrig Bach hoard extends beyond its material value; it provides critical insights into the social, economic, and spiritual life of Iron Age communities in Britain. The artifacts serve as a testament to the advanced metallurgical skills of the time and offer a glimpse into the trade networks and cultural exchanges that existed across the region. Ongoing research and analysis of these findings will undoubtedly contribute to a deeper understanding of Iron Age Britain and its historical context.

GOV.UK

Cover Image Credit: Personnel and veterans in action on Operation Nightingale. Credit: Harvey Mills

Related Articles

Bronze Age Treasure Found in Swedish Forests

30 April 2021

30 April 2021

A man who studied the forest to make a map for the orienteering club in western Sweden made an incredible...

1,600-year-old Roman-era wine shop unearthed in Greece

29 January 2024

29 January 2024

A team led by Scott Gallimore of Wilfrid Laurier University and Martin Wells of Austin College discovered a 1,600-year-old Roman-era...

Roman Bath and Magnificent Mosaics Used as Stables by the Villagers For Many Years

3 January 2025

3 January 2025

Archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Herakleia in Muğla’s Milas district in western Türkiye unearthed a striking discovery from...

Archaeologists have discovered a 4,000-year-old burial ground and shell tool processing site in Taiwan

1 August 2022

1 August 2022

A 4,000-year-old cemetery and shell tool processing site has been discovered in Kenting National Park, Taiwan’s oldest and southernmost national...

2,300 years old amazing preserved looks almost new Celtic scissors discovered in Germany

30 April 2023

30 April 2023

During a construction project in Munich’s Sendling district, Celtic cremation tombs were discovered. The quality of preservation of the grave...

8,200-year-old lacquerware found in China

9 July 2021

9 July 2021

Archaeologists in eastern China’s Zhejiang Province have identified two items of lacquerware at the Jingtoushan ruins, the oldest ever found...

Archaeologists in Israel are restoring the largest Roman Basilica in the country

6 June 2021

6 June 2021

Archaeologists in Israel are trying to rebuild a 2,000-year-old Roman-era basilica that is thought to be the country’s biggest. A...

Family Looking for Lost Gold Earring Finds Viking Age Artifacts in Their Garden on the Island Of Jomfruland

2 October 2023

2 October 2023

A family in Norway was searching for a lost gold earring in their yard on the island of Jomfruland when...

Archaeologists discovered large Roman baths under city museum in Croatia

8 December 2023

8 December 2023

Archaeologists who helped with the restoration work of the Split City Museum, one of the most important and visited museums...

Using Google Earth and aircraft reconnaissance, archaeologists identify unknown sites and Serbia’s hidden Bronze Age megastructures

17 November 2023

17 November 2023

Using Google Earth and aircraft reconnaissance, archaeologists at University College Dublin identified more than 100 previously unknown sites. Satellite remote...

The secret of the mummy in the Crystal coffin found in a garage in San Francisco

30 March 2023

30 March 2023

Mysterious mummies are a symbol of ancient lost times, which we often associate with Egypt and other ancient civilizations. Therefore,...

Mesolithic stone mace head found during excavation of a site near Buckingham

4 April 2023

4 April 2023

Archaeologists discovered an attractive Mesolithic stone mace head while excavation of a site near Buckingham. The work was done by...

The largest stone coffin grave found so far at the Yoshinogari Ruins -3.2 meters

30 May 2023

30 May 2023

A grave with a stone coffin around 2.3 meters long and dating to the latter part of the Yayoi Period...

A 500-year-old mural linked to an Aztec god was found under layers of paint in Mexican Church

15 October 2022

15 October 2022

A mural of an Aztec rabbit God of alcohol is not something anyone expects to see inside a church, but...

A 4000-Year-Old Seal Found in the prehistoric coastal site of Kalba on the Gulf of Oman

5 April 2024

5 April 2024

Archaeologists discovered a Gulf-type seal made of soft stone dating to the end of the third millennium BC at Kalba,...