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Archaeologists uncover rare Iron Age war trumpet and boar standard

According to the archaeologists involved in the excavation, these findings are extremely uncommon.

A groundbreaking excavation has unearthed two exceedingly rare Iron Age artifacts, leaving archaeologists in awe of the discovery.

The head of an Iron Age carnyx emerging out of a block of sandy soil. It is lying on its side and half buried. It has the head of an animal, with a gaping mouth and crest. — The discovery of a carnyx (above) and a boar's head flag standard in the same hoard has been described as "a discovery of a lifetime" by archaeologists

The excavation team from Pre-Construct Archaeology made the find at a building site near Thetford, Norfolk, during their work in the previous year.

The discovery included a remarkably well-preserved battle trumpet, known as a carnyx, which is the most complete example ever found in Europe, as well as a boar's head flag standard, the first of its kind to be discovered in Britain.

According to Gary Trimble, senior project officer, the carnyx is an exceptionally rare find, and the boar standard is even more unusual, making this discovery particularly significant.

Trimble emphasized that while Norfolk has had its share of notable discoveries, this find stands out as particularly unique and special.

The head of an Iron Age carnyx resting on its side on a white pillow. The instrument is in the shape of an animal with a long neck, with a crest along its neck, pierced with a pattern, with a long nose and its mouth gaping open. A black gloved hand can just be seen at the bottom holding a very fine brush, while a much broader brush brushes the snout of the animal. — The carnyx has "a wonderful little eye, which is a remarkable survivor and you can't help but be impressed and charmed by it", said conservator Jonathan Carr

Prior to the excavation, dig leader Peter Crawley had a hunch that the site might yield something extraordinary.

Crawley described the site as one of those rare locations that occasionally produce exceptional discoveries, giving him an instinctive feeling about its potential.

The war trumpet, or carnyx, was a key instrument used by Celtic tribes across Europe to intimidate their enemies and guide their warriors during battles.

A scene in a field showing a group of people during the filming of Digging for Britain. A woman wearing a jumper and jeans is on the left, holding a brass coloured carnyx with a gaping mouth in her right hand. In the middle are straw bales and sitting on them is a man in a paid shirt and blue jeans, a woman in black jacket and black jeans and a man in plaid shit and blue jeans. They are all laughing. — Musician Letty Stott plays a replica of a carnyx to Fraser Hunter, presenter Alice Roberts and Gary Trimble during filming for Digging for Britain

The Iceni tribe, led by Queen Boudica, who launched a rebellion against the Romans in AD60-61, was among the Celtic tribes that utilized such instruments.

The Romans were fascinated by carnyces, often depicting them as symbols of war in their art and literature.

Conservator Jonathan Carr noted that the Thetford discovery was crafted from extremely thin metal sheets that had become brittle over the course of 2,000 years underground.

Jonathan Carr in a lab sitting at a table and looking through a magnifying glass on an arm as he brushed soil out of a bag holding a block of soil and Iron Age hoard items. — Carr said he was aware of the risks as he painstakingly removed the brittle finds from their block of soil

This carnyx is not only one of only three found in Britain but also the most complete example, with its pipe, mouthpiece, and bell all intact, according to Carr.

Dr. Fraser Hunter, curator of Iron Age and Roman artifacts at National Museums Scotland, stated that a thorough examination and conservation of these fragile remains will significantly enhance our understanding of sound and music in the Iron Age.

The boar's head standard, made from sheet bronze, would have been used as a rallying point for troops and held aloft during battles.

A boar's head standard on its side, with its nose facing to the right. Two black-clad hands can just be seen at the bottom holding a thicker brush on the left and a far finer bush in the right hand. — The boar's head standard was also created from thin sheets of metal and is an even rarer find than the musical instrument

Hunter explained that the boar symbolized strength, given its ferocity in the wild, making it an apt emblem for battle.

The hoard, which dates back to around 50BC-AD50, includes five shield bosses and an iron object of unknown origin, in addition to the carnyx and boar standard.

After its discovery, the hoard was carefully extracted from the earth in a block of soil and scanned to determine the positioning of the artifacts before conservation efforts began.

The find has been reported to the coroner, and an inquest will be held to determine whether it qualifies as treasure, with its long-term fate still to be decided.

Hoard of Iron Age finds appearing from a block of sandy soil in a lab. Only the top layer can be seen, showing three shield bosses in the middle and on the right a boar's head, — The hoard included shield bosses, while the boar's head can be seen on the right and the carnyx is behind

Historic England is collaborating with Pre-Construct Archaeology, Norfolk Museums Service, and the National Museum of Scotland to oversee the research and conservation of the finds.

Dr. Tim Pestell, senior curator of archaeology at Norfolk Museums Service, noted that this discovery serves as a powerful reminder of Norfolk's Iron Age heritage, which continues to captivate the public through the story of Boudica and the Iceni people.

Prof Alice Roberts standing in front of the ruined castle keep. She has pink tinted hair and is wearing a red jacket. Her arms are folded and she is smiling broadly. — Anatomist, author and broadcaster Prof Alice Roberts has presented Digging for Britain since it first began

The Norfolk Carnyx Hoard presents archaeologists with a unique opportunity to investigate these rare objects and ultimately shed light on the story of how they came to be buried in the county 2,000 years ago.

Claudia Kenyatta CBE and Emma Squire CBE, co-CEOs of Historic England, described the discovery as "remarkable" and expressed their enthusiasm for uncovering and sharing the story of the community that once owned and used these artifacts.

The co-CEOs of Historic England look forward to exploring and sharing the story of the Norfolk community that owned and utilized these items.

The story of the discovery will be featured on BBC Two's Digging for Britain, airing on 14 January at 21:00 GMT, and will also be available on BBC iPlayer.

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Tottenham set to appoint temporary boss ahead of permanent summer hire

Tottenham expect to appoint an interim manager to oversee the team for the rest of the season by this weekend, with plans to make a permanent appointment in the summer.

The task of finding a successor to Thomas Frank has fallen to Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham, who are overseeing the selection process.

Tottenham Hotspur intends to appoint an interim manager to see out the current season, with a view to making a more permanent appointment during the summer months.

The dismissal of Thomas Frank occurred earlier this week, at a time when the team was five points clear of the relegation zone.

According to sources close to BBC Sport, Tottenham Hotspur is expected to finalize an agreement with an interim manager before the team resumes training on Monday.

Following their early exit from the FA Cup in the third round, Tottenham has a nine-day break before facing Arsenal in the north London derby on February 22.

With no match scheduled for this weekend, the first-team squad has been given a brief break and is set to return to training on Monday.

The club is aware that the mid-season transfer window presents limited options, and it may be more feasible to secure a long-term manager at the end of the campaign.

An in-depth examination of Thomas Frank's tenure reveals the challenges he faced in winning over players and fans.

A closer look at Frank's time at Tottenham highlights the risks involved in his appointment and the ultimate failure of his tenure.

Although the search for an interim manager is still ongoing, the successful candidate will be considered for the permanent position if they perform well in the role.

Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is a potential candidate to take the reins on a permanent basis, particularly since his contract with the US men's national team is set to expire after the World Cup this summer.

Another candidate being considered is Roberto De Zerbi, who recently parted ways with French club Marseille by mutual consent.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Tottenham, please refer to our dedicated section.

If you have any questions about Tottenham, feel free to ask and we will do our best to provide you with the information you are looking for.

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Aberdeen to unveil new manager soon with Docherty set to take assistant role

Aberdeen has bolstered its interim management team with the return of Tony Docherty, who previously served as an assistant manager, to support Peter Leven, amid anticipation of a permanent appointment announcement that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel had indicated would be made “imminently”.

Ross County parted ways with Tony Docherty in December, and he has now taken on a new role.

Aberdeen have brought in former assistant manager Tony Docherty to support Peter Leven's interim management team, despite sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel indicating that a permanent appointment was imminent.

Docherty's return to Aberdeen comes just a week after Eirik Horneland, a former coach of Rosenborg, Brann, and Saint-Etienne, emerged as a top contender to succeed Jimmy Thelin, who was sacked earlier.

As Aberdeen delays making a full-time appointment, speculation surrounding Eirik Horneland's availability has arisen, with reports suggesting the 50-year-old Norwegian may not be able to take on the role until summer.

Since Jimmy Thelin's dismissal on January 4, Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the search for a replacement, and he confirmed that Tony Docherty would be joining the team to assist Peter Leven during the interim period.

Dundee Utd are facing a challenging schedule, with four matches in 14 days set to take place on a weather-affected pitch.

According to Stavrum, Eirik Horneland's coaching style, characterized by intensity, would be a good fit for Aberdeen.

Tony Docherty initially joined Aberdeen in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes' management team and spent eight years at the club.

Before his stint at Aberdeen, Docherty served as McInnes' assistant at Kilmarnock and later managed Dundee and Ross County, but his time at Ross County ended in December when he was let go with the team at the bottom of the Championship.

Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Tony Docherty's experience, stating that he has a deep understanding of the club and will be a valuable asset during the transition period.

Pfannenstiel highlighted Docherty's extensive knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, gained through his experience as both a coach and manager, which will be beneficial to the team in the short term.

The club's managerial search is nearing its conclusion, and an announcement regarding the new head coach is expected soon, according to Pfannenstiel.

Peter Leven, who is serving as caretaker manager for the third time, expressed his enthusiasm for Tony Docherty's appointment.

Leven welcomed Docherty's return, stating that his experience will be a significant boost to the team, particularly during the upcoming matches.

Leven noted that Docherty was eager to join the team and that his presence will provide valuable support during both training sessions and matches.

Eirik Horneland left his position at Saint-Etienne in early February, at which point his team was fourth in France's second tier.

If Aberdeen decides to wait until summer for Horneland to take over, it will be similar to the six-month delay that occurred when Jimmy Thelin joined the club from Elfsborg in the summer of 2024.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Aberdeen, visit our dedicated page.

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Peter Murrell faces allegations of misusing £459,000 in funds over 12 years

Allegations have been made that he bought various items, such as luxury goods, jewellery, cosmetics, two cars and a motorhome, in an improper manner.

Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, is facing allegations of embezzling £459,000 from the party over a 12-year period.

Peter Murrell looking off to his right while sitting in a room. He is wearing a black suit, white shirt and dark coloured tie. — Peter Murrell is due to appear in court next Friday for a preliminary hearing

An indictment document obtained by BBC News outlines the case against Murrell, who is the estranged husband of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The alleged embezzlement is said to have occurred between August 2010 and January 2023, according to the indictment.

It is claimed that Murrell used party funds to purchase luxury items, including jewellery, cosmetics, and vehicles, such as two cars and a motorhome.

The Scottish Sun was the first to report on the details of the indictment.

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled to take place at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, 20 February, where Murrell is expected to appear.

During his initial court appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Murrell made no plea and was subsequently granted bail.

Murrell's arrest in 2023 was part of Operation Branchform, a police investigation into the SNP's funding and finances, which led to him being charged with embezzlement in April 2024.

A police van and a police officer outside Murrell's home in April 2023. — Murrell was arrested in 2023 as part of a probe into the SNP's finances

Although Sturgeon was questioned by police as part of the investigation, she is no longer considered a suspect.

BBC News has obtained a copy of the indictment against Murrell ahead of his upcoming court appearance.

It is worth noting that the indictment is subject to change until the case is heard in court and may be amended throughout the judicial process.

The indictment alleges that Murrell purchased a £124,550 motorhome for personal use and created false documents to justify the expense as a legitimate party expenditure.

Murrell is also accused of using £57,500 of party funds to buy a Jaguar I-PACE car in 2019, and falsifying an invoice to conceal the true nature of the purchase.

Furthermore, it is alleged that when the Jaguar was sold in 2021, Murrell deposited more than £47,000 into his personal bank account.

The indictment also claims that Murrell embezzled £16,489 from the SNP to partially fund the purchase of a Volkswagen Golf in 2016.

A list of over 80 retailers is included in the indictment, where Murrell allegedly made purchases totalling more than £159,000 between 2014 and 2022, using party credit or charge cards for personal expenses.

The retailers named in the indictment include Harrods, the Royal Mint, John Lewis, Homebase, and Argos, among others.

It is alleged that Murrell used SNP credit or charge cards to make these purchases and then inserted false or inaccurate accounting codes and descriptions into the party's accounting systems.

The indictment also accuses Murrell of making purchases worth over £81,600 through Amazon using the same method.

Murrell served as the SNP's chief executive for 22 years before his departure.

Murrell and Sturgeon were married in 2010, but announced their separation in January 2025, after being together for many years.