Events near Moray: Viking hoard goes on display in north-east
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The richest collection of Viking artefacts ever discovered in the UK will go on display in the north-east for almost three months from this Saturday.
The Galloway Hoard, which was buried around the year 900AD, contains over 100 different objects.
These range from gold and silver jewellery and religious artefacts to a piece of silk which originated near Istanbul, the modern-day capital of Turkey.
The reason for the hoard's burial is unknown, but it has been likened to "a safety deposit box that was never claimed".
It was also buried in two different levels, with the smaller and less valuable items on top.
Academics believe this may have been done on purpose in the hope that, if uncovered, the finder would fail to realise the full extent of the horde.
After laying in the ground for over a thousand years it was eventually discovered in 2014 by metal detectorist Derek McLennan while scanning an area of church land in Dumfries and Galloway with two local ministers.
The Galloway Hoard was acquired by National Museums Scotland in 2017 with the support of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund and the Scottish Government, as well as a major public fundraising campaign.
Since then it has been undergoing extensive conservation and research.
A free exhibition starts this Saturday at the Aberdeen Art Gallery.
It will run until October 23.
