Archaeologists have discovered a very rare find in the form of fixtures and fittings for an Iron Age chariot.

Researchers from the School of Archaeology and Ancient History from the University of Leicester, England are now investigating the site that yielded the artifacts.

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The site is called the Burrough Hill Iron Age hillfort and it's not far from Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire. Archaeologists also uncovered what seems like a defensive wall or structure in an area encircled by farms and local homes.

After five years working on the excavation site, researchers found some really remarkable, intricate fittings made from bronze, said Jeremy Taylor, an archaeologist from the University of Leicester.

This discovery is regarded as a very rare find since it shows the chariot parts belonged to a person of high stature and prestige. Triskelion motifs are engraved on the bronze fittings found in different areas of the site.

Researchers believe these relics were buried along with the dead as a religious offering during the Second or Third Century, right before the Common Era.

The chariot was made from wood and was likely burned as a sacrificial offering. The bronze fittings were placed inside a box along with some iron tools before everything was set on fire.

It's still unclear why these bronze artifacts were buried but these could have been used for horse care.

The human settlement in Burrough Hill dates back 6,000 years. Researchers believe it thrived for 150 years between B.C.E. 100 and C.E. 50. This chariot was most likely owned by a person of power that lived some 2,200 years ago.

The bronze chariot fittings are now on temporary display at the Melton Carnegie Museum in Leicestershire.

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