The most important piece of ancient art unearthed in Britain in the last century has been described as a 5,000year-old chalk sculpture uncovered in east Yorkshire and set to be presented at the British Museum.
The “Burton Agnes drum,” as archaeologists have dubbed it, is a chalk sculpture that was ornamented with themes akin to the artistic style around the same time that Stonehenge was constructed. The drum was discovered next to three children’s graves.
Because it resembles a series of artifacts currently in the British Museum’s collection, the drum is being hailed as a significant find.
The Folkton drums, three barrel-shaped chalk cylinders discovered buried near the bones of a child in North Yorkshire, have been in the British Museum’s collection since 1889.
They are some of the “most renowned and intriguing antique items ever uncovered in Britain,” according to the British Museum.
The Folkton drums and their setting are somewhat unknown, but this new drum, discovered around 15 miles distant, provides new light on them. The exact age of the Folkton drums has never been determined, however, it is thought that they were produced between 2500 and 2000 BC.
The Folkton drums, however, may now be recognized as being approximately 500 years older than previously thought thanks to modern technology and the discovery of a new drum.
This latest find, which is only the fourth of its sort to have been discovered, is virtually identical to the Folkton drums and may likewise be classified as a chalk drum.
Despite the word ‘drum,’ they are not considered to have had a musical purpose. Instead, they are works of sculptural art that have been understood as talismans to protect the children who died with them.
The Burton Agnes drum, along with the other three Folkton drums, will be unveiled to the public for the first time on Thursday as part of the World of Stonehenge exhibition at the British Museum.
The finding was “really astonishing,” according to Neil Wilkin, curator of The World of Stonehenge at the British Museum.
“For well over a century, the Folkton drums have remained a mystery to specialists, but this latest specimen finally begins to provide some answers.” The Burton Agnes drum, in my opinion, is even more beautifully carved and illustrates links between villages in Yorkshire, Stonehenge, Orkney, and Ireland,” he explained.
“The finding of Burton Agnes’ tomb is a poignant experience. The new drum communicates profound and eternal feelings that transcend Stonehenge’s period and portray a moment of sadness and anguish that hasn’t faded in 5,000 years,” he continued.
“We are honored that the British Museum will be the first site where the public can see this vital piece and that it will be shown among 430 other ancient objects that tell the stunning tale of Stonehenge and the lively culture in which it was created.”
Mark Allen, the head of Allen Archaeology, said it has been a “true honor” to be a part of its discovery and thanked the “landowners for their passion and participation in the project from the beginning.”
“It was evident we were looking at something exceptional when we learned about the find from the crew on-site and saw the images of the drum that were messaged across to us,” he added. “Although the photographs did not do it credit, we were all taken aback when we saw it up close when it arrived off-site.”
Alice Beasley, an archeologist at Allen Archeology who initially discovered the drum, described the event as “thrilling and humbling.” “It was extremely emotional to see the devotion and work put into burying the folks over 5,000 years ago,” she added.
The British Museum’s World of Stonehenge exhibition, which runs through mid-July, is the UK’s first major Stonehenge exhibition.
Almost two-thirds of the pieces on show will be lent by 35 different lenders from all over the world, including Germany, Denmark, and Italy.
