Inscription Deciphered on Viking Treasure Reveals an Anglo-Saxon Surprise
Researchers are revealing the clues that were found in Scotland of a hidden Viking treasure trove.
In 2014, a man using a metal detector discovered the “Galloway Hoard.” This hoard was “the most valuable collection of rare and unique Viking-aged items ever identified in Great Britain and Ireland” acquired by the National Museums of Scotland in 2017.
The hoard was buried 1,100 years ago and consists of more than 100 gold and silver items.
Runic inscriptions on a number of silver arm rings have now been deciphered by David Parsons of the University of Wales.
“Five of the silver arm-rings have runic inscriptions scratched into them which may have functioned as labels identifying distinct portions of the hoard, perhaps recording the names of the people who owned and buried them.
“While several of the texts are abbreviated and uncertain, one is splendidly clear: it reads Ecgbeorht, Egbert, a common and thoroughly Anglo-Saxon man’s name.”
The discovery sheds new light on the mysterious treasure trove. “The Galloway ‘Viking’ Hoard may have been deposited by a people who, to judge by name and choice of script, may have considered themselves part of the English-speaking world,” Parsons added. “It is even possible that these were locals.”
Adrian Maldonado, Glenmorangie Research Fellow at National Museums Scotland, also believes that experts may glean more details about the mysterious owner of the “Egbert” arm ring.
“Egbert is a common Anglo-Saxon name, and with more research on the rest of the contents of the hoard, we will be able to narrow down its dating and suggest some candidates from the historical record,” he said in the statement.
“If the hoard belonged to a person or group of Anglo-Saxon speakers, does it mean they were out raiding with other Vikings? Or that these Viking hoards were not always the product of Scandinavian raiders?” he added. “There are other explanations, but either way this transforms our thinking on the ‘Viking Age’ in Scotland.”
Other Viking discoveries have also been garnering attention recently. Archaeologists recently discovered an ancient Viking drinking hall on a remote island in the Scottish Orkney archipelago.
A 900-year-old Viking chess piece that was bought for less than $10 in the 1960s was recently sold at auction for $924,000.
The extremely rare chess piece was bought for 5 U.K. pounds ($6.30) in 1964 by an antique dealer in Edinburgh, Scotland, and then passed down through this family. For years, the Chessman was kept in a drawer at the home of the antiques dealer’s daughter.
Two Viking boat graves were also recently uncovered in Sweden in what archaeologists are describing as a “sensational” discovery.