Ancient sculpture is ‘most important prehistoric art find in UK for century’

5,000-year-old chalk drum decorated with motifs was discovered in Yorkshire alongside burial of three children

A 5,000-year-old chalk sculpture discovered in east Yorkshire, due to be displayed at the British Museum, has been described as the most important piece of prehistoric art to be found in Britain in the last century.

The object, which archaeologists have named the Burton Agnes drum", is a chalk sculpture which had been decorated with motifs similar to the artistic style at the same time as Stonehenge was built. The drum was discovered alongside the burial of three children.