Malton Museum is said to be 'buzzing with life' following the display of a very rare Iron Age shield.

The Iron Age shield, hailed as the most important Celtic discovery of the millennium is on public display for the first time at a museum in Yorkshire.

Around 2,400 years old, the shield was unearthed during an archaeological dig commissioned by housebuilder Persimmon on a development in Pocklington in East Yorkshire.

Found in a Celtic grave alongside a chariot and two upright horse skeletons, the shield was discovered face down on the chariot with the body of a man placed on top in a crouched position. The man is thought to be of high social status who died between 320BC and 174BC.

The shield is part of a larger exhibition of Roman artifacts from the Malton area and a display of the history of the town.

Museum secretary Maurag Carmichael said visitors have expressed their appreciation of the whole exhibition.

She said: "They have been leaving comments like “Amazing what you have done in such a small space”, “Great Shield, great displays. Great to see it all again , Lovely knowledgeable staff”.

"The first town walking tour of 2023 - River, Road and Railway -took place in beautiful weather with the town bustling due to the monthly Food Market.

"A very appreciative audience absorbed the story of Malton’s trade and transport systems through several centuries with one customer saying, 'I have lived here for 14 years and you have told me so much that I didn’t know'."

The next town tour will take place on Saturday, 13th May 13, at 10.30am at Orchard Fields. Maximus and Lucia (in period costume) will introduce customers to many different aspects of Romans in Malton. The tour costs £8 per person and is bookable on the museum website - https://www.maltonmuseum.co.uk/events/

Continuing the busy start to the 2023 season, the first of the museum’s Summer Lecture programme will take place on Wednesday, May 3,7pm, in the Assembly Rooms.

The lecture is entitled ‘Eastfield, Scarborough: A Roman Complex of International Significance’ given by Paula Ware. Paula is a professional archaeologist and the managing director of Malton Archaeological Practice (MAP).

In 2021 MAP undertook archaeological excavations on the site of a new housing development being built in the Eastfield area of Scarborough. The excavations revealed a large complex of Roman buildings, including a circular central room with several rooms leading off. Dominating the Vale of Pickering the complex would have been seen for miles.

Interpretation of the site is currently being undertaken but the talk will give an overview of the site, relating to other sites and how it sits in the landscape.

Tickets for the talk cost £5 per adult and is open to all. These are bookable via the museum website but will also be available on the door.

The Iron Age Shield will remain on display until  April 29. The extended opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am to 3.30pm. Entry costs £5 for adults. Children under 16 are free.

For more information go to https://www.maltonmuseum.co.uk/