Pocklington: Iron Age shield's first public display

The Mile burial consisted of a unique chariot, buried intact and upright alongside its horses, with the charioteer laid on top of the remnants of a circular bronze shield

An Iron Age shield is to go on public display for the first time following its discovery in East Yorkshire in 2016.

The shield was found at a high status burial along with horse skeletons and the remains of a chariot at a housing development in Pocklington.

Parts of the site are believed to date back to about 800 BC.

The shield will be shown in Pocklington at the official launch of a new book about the discoveries.

Horse skeletons and a chariot were found in the same burial plot as the shield

Paula Ware, from MAP Archaeological Practice, said the bronze shield was found in a huge grave which contained the skeleton of a man who had been "very revered" and had probably lived between between 220 - 300 BC.

Ms Ware said the man, who was buried with two ponies and a chariot, had been laid on the shield as part of an elaborate Iron Age ritual.

"We had no idea until about 18 months after a period of conservation just how spectacular the shield was - it exceeded all expectations," she added.

Following its showing at the book launch on Thursday the shield will go on temporary display at Malton Museum in April.