Iron Age Crown from Mill Hill Burial

A copper alloy crown, found still resting on the skull of its wearer, is believed to date between 250 and 150 B.C. It was uncovered during excavations at Mill Hill near Deal, England—an archaeological site that has yielded valuable information about ancient burial traditions. This remarkable find offers rare insight into both the craftsmanship and cultural values of Iron Age Britain.

The crown’s intact placement on the skull suggests it held ceremonial or symbolic importance, possibly indicating the high status of the individual buried with it. As a piece of personal adornment, it highlights the role of ritual, identity, and social hierarchy in the funerary customs of the period.

Now part of the British Museum’s collection, the crown remains a striking link to Britain’s ancient past. It continues to intrigue both scholars and the public, serving as a powerful artifact of early belief systems and the material culture of a long-lost society.