In a thrilling discovery that has ignited excitement among historians, archaeologists, and the local community, a 4,000-year-old ceremonial hand axe has emerged as the star attraction of Knaresborough's most extensive archaeology event to date. This ancient relic is set to take pride of place in an event that promises to narrate the town's history, spanning from prehistoric times to the modern era.

Months of dedication and effort by the Knaresborough Museum Association have culminated in the Community Archaeology Festival, an event that opens its doors to the public over the two half-term weekends. The festival, which will be hosted at the COGS Centre on Gracious Street in Knaresborough, promises to showcase a plethora of rare and unique artifacts.

Kathy Allday, Chair of Knaresborough Museum Association, expresses her excitement, saying, "It's a really exciting opportunity for visitors to look at a wide range of archaeological finds from the local area and find out what these tell us about the people who have lived in this area for generations."

The event will feature hundreds of artifacts, ranging from prehistoric times to the modern era, all found in Knaresborough and its surrounding villages. Visitors will have the opportunity to delve into the lives of the first inhabitants who came to hunt, live, and farm in Knaresborough. Moreover, the displays will illuminate the activities of the Romans, Vikings, and Saxons in Knaresborough while shedding light on the town's remarkable medieval history.

However, perhaps the most significant exhibit within this archaeological treasure trove is a Neolithic hand axe found just outside the town. This hand axe is believed to have belonged to a tribal chief from ancient times and is an exceptional discovery in its own right. What makes it even more remarkable is that it is thought to be the only one of its kind ever discovered in Yorkshire.

According to Kathy Allday, "The hand axe was found in Hopperton, three miles from Knaresborough, and is between 4,000 and 5,000 years old. It's so exciting when you come across such a rare artifact." This polished hand axe, crafted from honey-colored stone, was a highly valuable commodity, distributed throughout the country. More intriguingly, it provides the earliest evidence of trade during prehistoric times.

What sets this particular hand axe apart is its unlikely purpose. Unlike typical hand axes that were used for practical tasks like cutting down trees and clearing land for agriculture, this one is made from relatively soft stone and was never intended for such laborious work. After extensive consultations with the Yorkshire Archaeological Society and the British Museum, the Knaresborough Museum Association is confident that this unique hand axe was primarily used for ceremonial purposes, likely by a tribal chief.

The KMA's Archaeology Festival is the result of months of research and the hard work of a dedicated team of volunteers in the town. It became possible thanks to a £10,000 grant from the Lottery Heritage Fund awarded to KMA earlier in the year. Kathy Allday emphasized the significance of this grant, stating, "Getting the lottery grant was wonderful news and a real boost for KMA. It allowed us to fund a training dig where our volunteers could learn about archaeological survey and recording skills."

In addition to the archaeological dig, the Lottery grant also funded a geophysical survey of Priory Cottage Orchards on Abbey Road, where the Trinitarian Priory precinct once stood. Furthermore, it supports the Archaeology Festival itself.

The Knaresborough Community Archaeology Festival, held on October 28-29 and November 4-5 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., features interactive activities designed to engage local families and young enthusiasts. KMA encourages people to bring in any artifacts they have discovered in the local area, where a team of experts will be on hand to answer questions and provide insights into these items.

As the 4,000-year-old ceremonial hand axe takes center stage at Knaresborough's biggest-ever archaeology event, it offers a unique glimpse into the ancient history of the region and the remarkable people who once called it home. This archaeological extravaganza promises to connect the past with the present, bridging the gap between modern Knaresborough and its ancient ancestors, making history come alive for all who visit.