The Galloway Viking Hoard Free for members, or £2 on the door

Andrew Nicholson, regional archaeologist for Dumfries and Galloway and the excavator of the remarkable Galloway Hoard, tells the story of its discovery and significance.

In September 2014 metal detectorists working on land in Galloway discovered the largest hoard of Viking objects found in Scotland for over 150 years, and called in the Council's archaeologist to excavate it. The hoard contained over 100 items, with material from Britain, Ireland, Western Europe and beyond. It includes over 70 silver arm rings and ingots, a Carolingian silver vessel, Anglo-Saxon and Irish brooches, a rare gold pin and a large decorated cross, as well as a significant group of early medieval textiles.

The hoard opens a fascinating window on a formative period in the story of Scotland, illustrating links to the wider world, and giving a glimpse of the superlative craftsmanship of the period.

The lecture will be taking place in Purdie Lecture Theatre C, School of Chemistry.