Archaeologists have unearthed a rare Iron Age battle trumpet in Norfolk, marking one of the most significant ancient discoveries in Britain.
The carnyx, an animal-headed bronze horn, was found during a standard planning excavation below some homes in west Norfolk last summer.
Historic England confirmed the find is one of just three such trumpets - known for their distinctive, chilling blast - ever discovered in Britain.
It also ranks among the most complete examples found anywhere in Europe.
The exact location of the privately owned site has not been revealed, but the discovery forms part of a larger hoard of Iron Age objects buried approximately 2,000 years ago.
The hoard contains several other remarkable artefacts alongside the trumpet.
A sheet-bronze boar's head, once attached to a military standard, was recovered from the site.
Five shield bosses - pieces of metal which protect the holder's hand in a shield - and an unidentified iron object also formed part of the collection.
The carnyx (pictured) an animal-headed bronze horn, was found during a standard planning excavation below some homes in west Norfolk
|HISTORIC ENGLAND
Celtic tribes throughout Europe, like Norfolk's Iceni, led by the fearsome Queen Boudicca played carnyces to rally their fighters during combat.
The distinctive instruments fascinated the invading ancient Romans, who took them as trophies of war.
The bronze horns featured animal-shaped heads and produced sounds designed to intimidate enemies while boosting the morale of Celtic warriors on the battlefield.
Pre-Construct Archaeology carried out the excavation work on the site.
Mark Hinman, the firm's chief executive, said: "Before this dig began our project manager had 'a feeling' that this site would be special.
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The distinctive instruments fascinated the invading ancient Romans, who took them as trophies of war
|HISTORIC ENGLAND
"We are so impressed with the team responsible for this find.
"They discovered something completely unexpected, paused for breath, then followed best excavation practice to recover these rare and fragile objects."
Dr Fraser Hunter, Iron Age and Roman curator at National Museums Scotland, said the find would "add enormously to our understanding of the Iron Age world".
While Claudia Kenyatta CBE and Emma Squire CBE, co-chief executives of Historic England, described the discovery as "hugely significant for our understanding of ancient British culture".
PICTURED: A trumpeter blasts a newly-built carnyx ahead of a Wales vs Belgium World Cup qualifying match
|GETTY
After their discovery, the artefacts were lifted from the ground within a block of soil.
Further research revealed how the items sat within the earth before conservation specialists at Norfolk Museums Service extracted each piece for examination.
But the objects remain fragile and need substantial stabilisation before more rigorous tests can begin.
A coroner will determine the hoard's legal status in early 2026, which will shape its future.
A permanent home for the artefacts has yet to be decided.