Burial of a man buried almost 2,500 years ago has been discovered in an iron-age settlement unearthed at the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds. Found in the cemetery and dated to 800BC he had been ritually speared and lay in the ground next to his sword.The site contains more than 75 graves holding 160 skeletons of people from the Arras culture, a group who lived in the region in the middle Iron Age.

The warrior, who was aged between 17 and 23, had been put in a box in the grave in a crouched position. Four spears were placed along his spine and another in his groin. The remains of another warrior were also found. He had been placed on his shield. This is the first time that a shield burial has ever been discovered in Britain.

Some of the skeletons were found in wicker baskets, others had been placed in organic beds. However, the most elaborate burials were of three warriors: they had been placed in small, round graves rather than the usual square ones. Excavations at the site revealed a haul of objects, including a sword, a shield and 10 spears, more than 360 amber and glass beads, brooches and pots.

(after The Guardian)