Prehistory
About the collection
The rivers and springs, and the rich plant and animal life they supported attracted mankind to Ryedale from earliest times. Although details during this massive period of history changed over time, people used the local resources to make tools and build places to live, hunted and fished, made pots, and collected and cooked their food.
The museum holds an interesting collection of objects from each period including flint, Neolithic stone tools, hand axes, and pottery. Firm favourites in the collection include two Iron Age chalk figures which were found near Malton’s Lady Spring. They depict warriors carrying their swords down their backs. It is suggested they may have had religious significance.
Items within the collection
Chalk Figure
Miniature Shield