Special Features - Viking treasures found in North Yorkshire

The stunning silver vessel decorated with animals and vine-scrolls. (c) British Museum

Viking treasures found in North Yorkshire
(01/08/07)

A father and son with metal detectors have unearthed the most important haul of Viking treasure for 150 years.

Hoard dates back to 10th century

David and Andrew Whelan uncovered the hoard, which dates back to the 10th century, in Harrogate in January. They immediately reported their discovery to their local Finds Liaison Officer. It was then transferred to the British Museum (BM) in London where conservators have been poring over the treasure trove and identifying each piece.

It was declared as treasure at a court hearing in Harrogate in July. The Whelans, who do their metal detecting as a weekend hobby, say that the hoard is worth about £750,000 at a "conservative estimate".

Precious metal objects

This latest find contains a mixture of different precious metal pieces, including coins, complete ornaments, ingots and chopped-up fragments known as hack-silver.

The ancient objects come from as far afield as Afghanistan in the East and Ireland in the West, as well as Russia, Scandanavia and continental Europe. Whether this find reflects the Vikings' fearsome reputation as warriors and pirates, or navigators and traders, is probably a moot point.

Rare silver vessel

The most impressive part of the treasure is a silver vessel decorated with animals and vine-scrolls which the BM said was probably from a monastery. It could have been looted by the Vikings or given to them in tribute. Dr Jonathan Williams, keeper of prehistory in Europe at the Museum said that it was "beautifully decorated and is fantastically rare - there are only a handful of others known around the world. It will be stunning when it is fully conserved".

These were all the objects found in the silver vessel including ornaments, coins and ingots. (c) British Museum

Most of the smaller objects the Whelans found were well-preserved as they had been hidden inside the silver vessel, which in turn was protected by a lead container.

Buried for safety

The Museum thinks that it was probably buried for safety by a wealthy Viking leader during the unrest following the conquest of the Viking kingdom of Northumbria in AD927.

The find will now be valued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport by the Independent Treasure Valuation Committee. Dr Williams said that the BM and the York Museums Trust would be trying to raise the funds to buy the collection so it can eventually go on public display.

The final sum raised will be split between the Whelans and the farmer in whose field the treasure was discovered.

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