Excavations at Thetford have revealed an Iron Age war trumpet and a boar standard.

Archaeologists have been stunned to find two rare Iron Age objects in the same excavation.

The Pre-Construct Archaeology team was working on a construction site a few miles from Thetford, Norfolk, when they came across the deposit last year.

At its centre was the most complete war trumpet or carnyx, ever found in Europe – and the first boar’s head flag standard ever found in Britain.

Senior project officer Gary Trimble told BBC Two’s Digging for Britain that cornices are “extraordinarily rare… a boar standard; it’s even rarer.”

“We have our fair share of hoarding in Norfolk, but this is very, very different – ​​it’s really, really special,” he said.

Excavation leader Peter Crowley said he had a strong feeling about the site before excavations began.

“It felt like it was one of those special sites that you come across every so often,” he said.

Celtic tribes throughout Europe used war trumpets to intimidate their enemies and to inspire and direct warriors during battle.

They included the Iceni tribe of East Anglia, led by Queen Boudica, who took part in their unsuccessful revolt against the Romans in 60 to 61.

Carnis attracted the Romans, who often depicted them as war trophies.

Conservator Jonathan Carr said the Thetford discovery was made from “extremely thin sheets of metal that have become extremely brittle after 2,000 years in the ground”.

as well as being One of only three cornices found in Britain He said, “It was the most complete carnyx ever found, with the pipes, mouthpiece and bell all uniquely intact.”

Dr Fraser Hunter, Iron Age and Roman Curator at the National Museum of Scotland, said, “I have seen carnivorans from across Europe, and the full research and conservation of these incredibly delicate remains will reshape our view of sound and music in the Iron Age.”

The standard boar’s head was made from sheet bronze. It was held aloft like a flag in battle and used as a rallying point for soldiers.

symbolism of the boar speaks volumes about his strength

Hunter said, “They were very ferocious animals to face in the hunt, so the symbolism of the boar speaks volumes about his strength – a very suitable opponent in battle.”

The hoard, which dates to around 50BC and AD50, included five shield bosses and an iron object of unknown origin.

After its discovery, before conservation began, it was carefully lifted from the earth in a clay block and scanned to determine where the objects were located.

The coroner has been notified of the find, and an investigation will determine if it’s treasure. Its long-term future has not yet been decided.

Historic England is working with Preconstruct Archaeology, Norfolk Museums Service, and the National Museums of Scotland to coordinate the research and conservation of the discoveries.

Dr Tim Pestell, Senior Curator of Archaeology at Norfolk Museums Service, said, “This discovery is a powerful reminder of Norfolk’s Iron Age past which, through the story of Boudica and the Iceni people, still retains its ability to captivate the British public.

“The Norfolk Carnicks Hoard will provide archaeologists with a unique opportunity to examine many rare objects and ultimately tell the story of how these came to be buried in the county over 2,000 years ago.”

Historic England’s co-CEOs Claudia Kenyatta CBE and Emma Squire CBE said it was a “remarkable discovery”.

“We are keen to uncover and share the story of the Norfolk community that owned and used these objects,” the pair said.

The story of the discovery will be screened on BBC Two’s Digging for Britain on 14 January at 21:00 GMT or on BBC iPlayer.