A spectacular Bronze Age gold artefact discovered near Grassington has gone on permanent display at the Craven Museum in Skipton – offering a remarkable glimpse into life in North Yorkshire more than 4,000 years ago.
The item, known as a lunula, was found by a metal detectorist in a stream near Grassington in 2023. After being assessed by experts at the British Museum, it has now been returned to Yorkshire and installed as the centrepiece of the Craven Museum’s Bronze Age collection.
Lunulae are thin crescent-shaped ornaments dating back to around 2000 BC and are among the earliest known examples of gold craftsmanship. The Grassington find is only the second complete example discovered in Yorkshire and is believed to be the only one currently on permanent display in the north of England.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for arts and culture, Cllr Simon Myers, described the discovery as “hugely significant.”
He said: “The importance of this find cannot be overstated. To have it on permanent display in the county where it was found is a real coup. It helps foster pride in the area’s contribution to national history and makes our understanding of the Bronze Age more tangible and relevant.”
Craven Museum curator Charlotte Craig said the piece sheds new light on the cultural and trade connections of prehistoric communities.
“The techniques used to make gold lunulae came from Ireland, so finding such an item in North Yorkshire confirms that our ancestors had connections stretching hundreds of miles across the Irish Sea,” she explained. “It’s a stunning piece, and it’s amazing to think of the people who crafted and cherished it more than 4,000 years ago.”
The museum acquired the lunula with support from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, Art Fund, and the Friends of Craven Museum, with expert guidance from Dr Deborah Hallam, a specialist in Yorkshire Dales prehistory.
Dr Neil Wilkin, European Bronze Age curator at the British Museum, added: “The display of the lunula at Craven Museum will allow its fascinating story to be told in its local setting. We look forward to working with local curators and archaeologists to uncover more about this spectacular find.”
The Craven Museum, based at Skipton Town Hall, is operated by North Yorkshire Council.
For more information visit skiptontownhall.co.uk/craven-museum.
