Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
A MAN ARMED with a metal detector has made a significant discovery of a Viking hoard in Scotland, and some of the items in it are thought to be Irish.
Scotland’s Treasure Trove Unit – which has to be the coolest name for a museum department that we’ve ever heard – reported that retired businessman Derek McLennan found the hoard in a field in Dumfries.
Head of the Treasure Trove Unit, Stuart Campbell, told TheJournal.ie that the find consisted of a range of objects, including arm rings that are thought to be Irish.
There has been much excitement among the archaeological community due to the find in south west Scotland.
Early indications are that it is a rich hoard of Viking artefacts containing over 100 items such as silver ingots, armbands and brooches, and several gold objects.
There is also a complete metal vessel containing more objects. This has not yet been emptied yet, and the first step will be to examine it by x-ray.
The Treasure Trove Unit said that “it is already clear that this is one of the most significant Viking hoards ever discovered in Scotland”.
Campbell said this is a “very important and significant find”. Historic Scotland has worked together with Treasure Trove Unit and National Museums Scotland staff to recover the fascinating items.
Due to the quantity and variety of the objects, and the importance of the find overall, it will take some time for experts to assess the hoard as a whole so that we can appreciate its true significance. We look forward to learning more.
He also thanked the finder for reporting the discovery as quickly as possible.
Why is this hoard unusual?
Mainly because of the breadth of material inside – nothing similar has been found in Scotland before.
The silver vessel is of Carolingian origin, and there are also silver stamp-decorated bracelets from Ireland. Some of these have runic inscriptions, which have not yet been deciphered.
Then there are glass beads within the vessel, which are of a type commonly found in Scandinavia and which were traded from central Europe. “It took a lot of skill to make them,” said Campbell.
He pointed out that Vikings traded in the Black Sea and as far as modern day Iraq, as evidenced from coin hoards found in the UK and Ireland which have Islamic coins in them.
The Treasure Trove Unit explained more about the hoard:
The material currently known dates from the mid-9th to mid-10th centuries but will require further work to pinpoint the date more precisely. Many objects such as the Carolingian vessel are perhaps one hundred years older than the other material, indicating objects which may have been heirloom pieces.
The silver cup is engraved with animals and is one of only three known in Britain. This beautiful golden bird pin is thought to be Anglo-Saxon:
The laws on using metal detectors are different in Scotland to Ireland – it is effectively banned in the Republic of Ireland.
Campbell said that a hoard such as this could be used a sort of safety deposit box for burying materials. “What you’re looking at is the personal or group fortune of a person or persons. For some reason, they never came back to claim it.”
All pics courtesy of Treasure Trove Unit. Find out more about unit on Facebook.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
if the attacker didn’t have a difficult background theyd be saying he comes from a good home &the attack was “out of character for him ” that’s the Irish legal system for you the aggressor is always the victim.that said I’m amazed he got a jail sentence atall & wasnt just given around of applause and sent off with a suspended sentence
There’s no mention of it but to get thst sentence his previous convictions must of been high. Bad journalism for not including that
But hitting a complete stranger with a chair in McDonalds because the stranger’s friend gave you “bad vibes” doesn’t merit a custodial sentence? And judges wonder why they are despised…
In fairness that guy thought his victim was a little f****t whilst off his face on heroin. Extenuating circumstances, like.
Sounds severe to me. No real malice, no intent to harm, no premeditation, just a messy drunken scenario between acquaintances that got out of hand and resulted in two punches. Given the procession of pond life with 50+ previous convictions for serious crimes that walk from the courts daily, laughing at yet another suspended sentence, this case seems different given the information contained in the article.
He is one of those
@David Mac Shite:
No intent to harm?
What article did you read?
This offence is deserving of a 12 and a half year sentence so he gave him 5. Less than half. And he will probably be out in less than half that again. Joke
April 2014?! The wheels of justice are grinding to a halt
5 years for punching someone?
There are people charged with manslaughter, rape, child abuse, aggravated burglary, drunk driving resulting in death, embezzlement of millions etc etc and they get a lesser sentence.
Impossible to understand the logic of the Irish legal system.
Here we go again.just thinking ok, The number one training point for solicitors is to focus on the harsh and deprived upbringing their violent clients have had and that will surely get them off or a much reduced sentence.Its so wrong. This thug will do this again and again.
@Gerry Fallon:
Not for the next few years anyway.
What a total halfwit.
Ah come on,that was my first ever post.
Hopefully your last too
Zing!
Test
@Alex Falcone: did you read the article? Life changing injuries! He should have got the maximum sentence!
@Sylvia O’Regan: Our world is not a perfect place and sometimes you have to hit someone – most often without intention of “life changing injuries”.
Another light sentence but hopefully this serves as a warning. The victim was a bloody idiot. Who shouts abuse at random strangers on the street? Your asking for trouble
@John Reese:
You should read the story again. They knew one another. They were not total strangers.
If you want an insight of our judical system and the waste of time and money ,Go to high court,judments and determinations asylum
Whilst it’s not nor excusable something tells me from reading above the victim was total slime. Anyone saying paki or threatening to stab someone someone in the neck with a needle and pestering is a laughing stock of the world. Slimiest lowest of the low. Pathetic.
have your say