Hoard of Viking treasure unearthed in Scotland

A hoard of Viking Christian treasures has been uncovered in Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland. Said to be the biggest and most significant finds in Scotland in modern times, items recovered from a haul of more than one hundred artefacts include silver Viking arm rings, ingots, gold, silver, glass, enamel and textiles. Many are thought to be unique. They were discovered in September 2014 on Church of Scotland land by metal detectorist  Derek McLennan.

Scottish Government’s Treasure Trove Unit experts are now beginning a careful conservation process to ascertain the meaning and significance of the items found. The treasure also contains the largest silver Carolingian pot ever thought to have been discovered and has its lid still in place. When the contents are revealed it is hoped clues will be found about who buried the hoard and why.

The items date to the 9th or 10th century and emphasise the strong influence and links between the Norse and Celtic worlds between the 8th and 15th centuries. This influence stretched from Norway to the northern and western Scottish Isles into the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man and parts of Ireland.