Veterans Help Uncover Iron Age Secrets Beneath RAF Base — What Did They Find?

Something archeologists didn’t expect to find was ancient iron age artefacts under an Royal Air Force base in Wales. Labelled Operation Nightingale, the 2,000 year old wonders have now been declared treasures. They will soon be presented to the public after being gifted to Museum Wales. But the question still remains: why were archeologists excavating an RAF airfield? And how did they locate and identify the artefacts? 

UK Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns, said in a statement: “Operation Nightingale is an innovative and award-winning programme that consistently shows the benefits that archaeology can offer to military personnel and veterans. Congratulations to those who carried out the excavation and made this exciting discovery. Through their hard work, we are uncovering and preserving our history for future generations.”

Finding 2,000 Year Old “Iron Age Treasure” 

Under an initiative to get military personnel and veterans involved in archaeology, RAF Valley in Anglesey was anointed the destination for the bore. Reason being, the base will soon see refurbishments with construction commencing in late 2024. As such, the area was well placed for the Operation Nightingale dig. 

The effort commenced in April 2024 to support serving and non-serving veterans with their health and wellbeing. Equally, the scheme also provides injured or sick veterans with a unique opportunity to partake in an “archaeological investigation”. Currently, the operation is extended to the military estate and has won awards for its positive outcomes.  

Orchestrated by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, the novel archaeologists began ripping up the RAF base in the hope of finding primitive antiques. But what the personnel found was bewildering: 2,000 year old iron age Celtic chariot parts. The RAF has since said: “Senior Coroner for North Wales (West) has now declared these discoveries as treasure.”

What Else Did The Budding Archaeologists Find? 

While the chariot was the grand finding, the veterans also located a terret ring – the reins guide attached on the chariot. But what makes the collection significant is the fact that other Iron Age artefacts were found in the same location. The RAF said their findings may have completed the “famed Llyn Cerrig Bach hoard”, which was unearthed in the 1940s. 

Reasons behind the original dig was because extension works began in a bid to support allied World War 2 efforts. RAF’s statement outlined that the infamous hoard “is one of the most important collections of Iron Age artefacts discovered in the UK”. What was uncovered consisted of a range of aged mental artefacts including “150 bronze and iron objects” from around 300 BC to 100 AD.