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Treasure hunter - Viking Hoards in Scotland

Treasure hunter uncovers one of the most significant Viking hoards ever found in Scotland

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An amateur treasure hunter equipped with a metal detector has unearthed a massive hoard of Viking artifacts in Dumfries and Galloway, in what has been described as one of the most significant archaeological finds in Scottish history. According to the Herald Scotland, more than 100 Viking relics were found, including silver ingots, armbands, brooches, and gold objects.

Derek McLennan, 47, was using a metal detector on Church of Scotland land when he picked up a signal indicating the presence of metal beneath the ground. He dug down some 24 inches (60 centimetres) before finding the first item. As soon as Derek recovered the first arm-ring he realised the significance of his find and contacted the Scottish Treasure Trove Unit. They sent an experienced archaeologist, Andy Nicholson and the hoard was excavated properly. Mr McLennan has been praised for his actions in this historically significant find by Fiiona Hyslop, the cabinet secretary for Culture and External Affairs " ... I would like to echo the praise for the responsible behaviour of the metal detectorists: without their continued cooperation this would not be possible.”

Among the findings was an early Christian cross from the 9 th or 10 century AD made from solid silver, described as having unique and unusual decorations. There was also a rare Carolingian vessel, believed to be the largest Carolingian pot ever discovered.  The Carolingian dynasty had its origin with a Frankish noble family beginning the 7th century AD, and represents the earliest stage in the history of the kingdom of France and the kingdom of Germany. The Vikings are known to have conducted numerous raids on Carolingian lands between 8 th and 10 th century AD.

Vikings about to conduct a raid

Vikings about to conduct a raid. illuminated illustration from the 12th century Miscellany on the Life of St. Edmund. Pierpont Morgan Library. Image source: Wikipedia

The rich hoard of artifacts also includes a complete metal vessel that is still sealed, but contains numerous objects of an unknown nature inside it. Before opening the vase, researchers will examine its contents using x-ray techniques.

Scotland's Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said of the latest find: "The Vikings were well known for having raided these shores in the past, but today we can appreciate what they have left behind, with this wonderful addition to Scotland's cultural heritage.

"It's clear that these artefacts are of great value in themselves, but their greatest value will be in what they can contribute to our understanding of life in early medieval Scotland, and what they tell us about the interaction between the different peoples in these islands at that time.

While there are few records, the Vikings are thought to have led their first raids in Scotland on the island of Iona in 794. In 839, a large Norse fleet invaded via the River Tay and River Earn, both of which were highly navigable, and reached into the heart of the Pictish kingdom of Fortriu. They defeated the king of the Picts, and the king of the Scots of Dál Riata, along with many members of the Pictish aristocracy in battle. The sophisticated kingdom that had been built fell apart, as did the Pictish leadership.

The Church of Scotland, which owns the land where the treasure was found, has reached an agreement with Mr McLennan about the equitable sharing of any proceeds that will eventually be awarded. The hoard is now with the Scottish Treasure Trove Unit until it has been fully examined and a decision is made about its future location.

Featured image: Left: Large silver alloy Carolingian vessel. Right: Christian cross from 9 th or 10 th century. Image source: BBC.

By April Holloway

 

Comments

angieblackmon's picture

this guy had an awesome day. granted he's doesn't get to keep his find because it wasn't his property, but  still what a find! i mean can you imagine how exciting that would be!? 

love, light and blessings

AB

Btw alone the Fact they became colonialistic and hostile ie murderous slayers plunderers rapists is Proof they were massraped by christianity and had become Child raperculture... Normal Cultures Tribes do Not do such things.

The faronic dynasties for millenia had subdued their people that way to have slaves servants whores soldiers and ignited millenia long so can be called Childbut wars who raped the most People and Children had the biggest armies. 15 millenia and longer ago they already were grandmasters of Mind control turture and submission and the fallout reaches til today and every Civilisation is build by it.

The evil and works of ritual rape Mind control stil are very present from govs laws offices media industries wars to the daily violence crimes rapes abuses even thoughts sciences politics families spirits views on realuty and Mankind are poisoned by it. There is lot of compulsory behaviour because of it and a Mind control commandment can last for many millenia until Discovered Analysed and Neutralised. Or else it just goes on and lot of it is even called law religion culture school church punishment sexuality habit character folklore or ritual like *enforced by culture/religion/law marriage also is based on it comes forth out of it.

Economics industries is based on it and bad disharmonic with lots of useless activity and damaging systems. reproductionrate of lots of cultures is based on it..no Balance no Harmony anymore but duty and commandment to massreproduce like We had in the times of the catholic slaveries enforced by law and state.

But anyway their behaviour by which they became famous in fact was christian behaviour. Exact same way christians(the first were morrokkans) slayed Europe and ran and raped it down with crusades so much the spanish and portugeze bastardraces came from it. An Image of how they behaved in Europe You Can Get by Thinking of behaviours of hells angels or mafia in Our Societies. The first as the soldiers the second more ike the leaders the nobils that came with them in their castles. Because that is the christian behaviour by ages of compulsory action through generationel trauma and complexes.

If a cross was found they can not be reckoned any more as Vikings because christianity acted and spread by mass Child and Baby rapes making People instant minons and slaves and most devoted crusaders...that then they were...crusaders of some satanic minion creating clan out of the faronic chinese kazarian rabinal or black nobilities...probably rotchild who came named as "tour from srilanka after 8th century and might be first the vikings befor they settled in Europe Franche

Tour tor thor(killed&tortured with hammers also during medevals christianity) tu-d-or ...tur...tur-key..tur-an...

Vikings seemingly minions crusaders of the rotchilds

Justbod's picture

What a great find! I look forward to hearing more about this as the objects are examined more and their significance unpicked. Many thanks!

Sculptures, carvings & artwork inspired by a love of history & nature: www.justbod.co.uk

 

 

 
aprilholloway's picture

April

April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan.

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