This document summarizes the Galloway Hoard, the richest Viking treasure hoard ever found in Britain. It was discovered in 2014 in Scotland and contained over 100 silver and gold objects from the Viking age, including jewelry, ingots, a unique gold bird pin, a lidded silver pot, and beads. The hoard provides evidence of international trade and cultural exchanges between Vikings and various European and Mediterranean peoples in the 10th century. It is a significant find that helps illustrate the Vikings' influence and presence in Britain and Ireland during the Viking age.

1. THE GALLOWAY HOARD
A Viking Treasure found in southwestern Scotland

2. A trove of more than 100 gold and silver objects from
the Viking age was discovered in Dumfries and
Galloway, in South West Scotland, in September
2014.
It was unearthed by Derek McLennan, a retired metal
detector enthusiast from Ayrshire.
This is the richest Viking hoard ever
discovered in Britain. It includes silver
jewelry, silver and gold ingots, a unique gold
bird-shaped pin, a lidded silver-gilt pot, arm
rings, brooches, a solid silver cross pendant
decorated in enamel, glass and crystal
beads, a rock crystal jar...

3. Medieval texts date the arrival of the Vikings in the British Isles to the 790s
A.D., when fierce raiders from Scandinavia suddenly appeared along the
coasts and colonized territories in England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, until
they and their descendants were finally defeated or assimilated.
The 10th century marked a period when the Vikings suffered setbacks after
more than a century of successful raids, and Galloway was one of the places
where they were harshly fought. But a strong Viking presence continued until
the 11th century.
The Vikings were
well known for
having raided
these shores
until
the 10th century.

4. The Carolingian vessel
Items in the pot included
• six silver Anglo-Saxon disc brooches
• a silver brooch from Ireland
• Byzantium silk a gold ingot
• gold and rock crystal objects carefully
wrapped in cloth bundles at the bottom
Buried for more than a thousand years,
around 900 AD, the silver alloy lidden vessel
contained over 100 silver and gold objects. It
was probably like a “cash box” of some
prominent Viking for trading, and was carefully
wrapped in textile cloth for protection.

5. The lidded pot is Carolingian, glass beads came from Scandinavia, the stamp-
decorated bracelets from Ireland, disc brooches are Anglo-Saxon, a rock crystal
jar is probably from the Middle East. A full story of interconnections from peoples
in Europe and around the Mediterranean.
The ages of the objects vary significantly as well. The hoard was buried in the
early 10th century, but the Carolingian pot was at least a century old by then, so it
was likely kept as an heirloom for several generations.
Pieces of textile are still clunched to the vase

6. The first manipulations
were carefully undertaken.

7. The hoard has been on temporary display at the National Museums Scotland in
Edinburgh. The treasures will be back in public view after a period of conservation
and study.

8. The golden ring, bird
pin and ingot.

10. The unusual, unique golden bird
has a curved beak like a flamingo,
a bird only found more southernly
by the Mediterranean, but its origin
remains unknown. It probably
travelled a lot before reaching
Scotland.

12. The penannular
brooch

13. All symmetry and curving lines, the hoard’s penannular brooch was crafted in
Scotland or Ireland for a high-status man or woman.

14. Silver
brooches
The hoard includes six silver
Anglo-Saxon disc brooches
of early 9th century.

15. Quatrefoil brooches have two faces representing sight and hearing.

16. This face emphasises large round eyes

17. Protruding ears and horns being blown simbolize hearing,

18. An unexpected sense of
humour.

19. Disc brooches

20. Surrounded by swirling tendrils, mythical creatures embellish one of
the silver brooches

21. What animal is this ?
A dragon? A unicorn ?

23. A couple of strange, hinged mounted straps decorated with gold
leaf and niello (a mixture alloy of black tone to contrast with
silver).
Silver hinged
straps

24. The hinged silver strap may have once enclosed
a precious rectangular-shaped object like a book.

25. The decoration is late Anglo-Saxon work.

26. Crystal rock beads
from Ireland.

27. Hiberno-Norse Viking
beads have quite a distinct
design and colour palette.
This kind of beads are
fairly well known types
from the early mediaeval
period in Britain and
Ireland, but these are very
well worn.
A multilobed bead was obtained with
a technique developped by Viking
artists in Ireland, cutting with a knife
on softly warmed rock crystal. Other
effects like “string beads” could be
achieved this way, making finely
twisted or spiraling glass.

28. This exquisite barrel-shaped
bead with blue and white
collars and vertical ribs is in
pristine new condition. The
bosses between ribs are
orange glass.

29. Partly flattened, this silver arm ring could have been used by a
Viking chief to reward loyal followers.

30. Several amlets and aestels - pointers used to read and mark places
within medieval manuscripts.

32. Sources:
NMS site
National Geographic
The History Blog
© Mario Ricca,