2,500-Years-Old Iron Age Chariot Burial Site Found, Complete with Horse and Rider - Archaistic

For the second time in two years, and Iron Age chariot was found buried in a Yorkshire community. The discovery was made in the village of Pocklington, England, where more than 200 homes are being built.

Since the beginning of October 2018, archaeologists have been working on the full excavations. Media reports say that not only the chariot was found but also the remains of horses and humans.

Simon Usher, executive director of Persimmon Homes Yorkshire, said: “We can ensure that important archaeological discoveries, including an Iron Age horse-drawn chariot, are made in our development, the Mile in Pocklington. Careful excavations are underway by our archaeologists and an in-depth investigation is underway to find the details of their findings.

Surprisingly, 18 months ago, another Iron Age chariot was discovered, along with two horses, at a different construction site in Pocklington.

Archeology Arts reported in 2017: “The chariot was buried as part of a funeral rite that was rare in the Iron Age. However, horses added an extra dimension to archaeologists.

The Telegraph said that"the discovery of the remains are from 500 BC is the first of its kind in the last 200 years and is one of only 26 chariots excavated in the UK."

Archaeologists say it is highly unusual for a horse and chariot to be buried together and with a human. In 2017, Paula Ware, managing director at MAP Archaeological Practice Ltd, told a reporter, “The chariot was located in the final square barrow to be excavated and on the periphery of the cemetery.

She continued, “The discoveries are set to widen our understanding of the Arras (Middle Iron Age) culture, and the dating of artifacts to secure contexts is exceptional.

A chariot was the possession of a high-status individual. The rite of including horses as part of the burial is being puzzled over by researchers. Before finding the chariot, the dig at the Burnby Lane site revealed artifacts including a sword, shield, spears, brooches, and pots.

The excavations give insight into life over 2,500 years ago. These are thought to be people of the Arras culture.

Archaeologists said that it was unusual for horses to be 
buried along with the chariot and human remains.

Yorkshire continues to be the place where astoundingly well-preserved remains of the Arras culture are found. In 2016, some 150 skeletons and their personal possessions were discovered in a small market town at the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds.

Some of the 75 square barrows, or burial chambers, contained personal possessions such as jewelry and weapons, according to The Guardian. Archaeologists also discovered a skeleton with a shield.

Media reports say the remains belonged to a man in his 20's or older, who died with his sword at his side. Before his death, he reportedly had six spears that were pressed against him like a "Hedgehog".

Bronze snaffle bit from the King’s Barrow burial in Yorkshire,
now in the British Museum

Illustration of a chariot burial.

It is believed that the area was all part of the Iron Age, which was in Britain from 800 BC to the time of the Roman conquest, from 43 AD.

Extensive research will look at whether peoples are indigenous or have newly arrived from the continent. Archaeologists are hoping to determine how those buried in the area died and whether they were related in any way, as well as possible DNA analysis.

The custom of burying the dead with their chariots inside squares is unknown throughout the British Iron Age. Interestingly, Arras vehicles parts were often separated, a very unusual practice in the burial of Continental carts.

Source: archaistic.com