Lancaster Hoard
The Lancaster Hoard is one of North West England’s most spectacular Bronze Age discoveries
The hoard is a collection 16 bronze artefacts, including five socketed axes, three spearheads, two bracelets, four armrings, and two horse harness rings.The particular style of the axeheads and spearheads suggests that they are about 3,000 years old, and were made during the Late Bronze Age between 1,000-800BC. You can explore the hoard and its contents in more detail below.
Socketed axeheads
Probably Late Bronze Age

Unlooped socketed axe
Probably Late Bronze Age

Horse harness ring
A possible misnomer

Spearheads
Probably late Bronze Age

Bracelets
Decorative and practical

Armrings
Probably worn on the upper arm

The trench - the source of yet more clues
DigVentures excavated a trench immediately over the findspot of the Lancaster Hoard. The model above shows part of the hoard in the exact place some of the artefacts were found. All five axeheads are visible, as well as two of our three spearheads and the two horse harness rings.As well as the bronze artefacts, there were two pieces of pottery and a shard of burned glass dating to the Roman period 43AD-410AD. There is also a small flint barb that could be from the Mesolithic (8,000BC-4,000BC).
Learn more +Hiding amongst the hoard was an unexpected stow away...
A remarkable find, unusual as we wouldn't usually expect organic material to survive in the ground. This little flower was preserved by being tucked inside one of the axeheads and so protected from the usual processes of decay.
Dried flower, probably meadowsweet
Learn more +Continue through the exhibition
More to explore...