Mystery Behind Viking-Age Treasure Find in Scotland Finally Solved
![A runic inscription on one of the hoard’s arm rings reads: “This is the community’s wealth [property].” Photograph: National Museums Scotland](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhz3gn6hbPIPUENYRnJd0_9McMeOmt9LwmyqZl5b94M70vu-B4L7qD7qTsoKvWcEPoHmdCcTgk03DTMxwxk4cgGID93lCQcK0v5xL1Qbt1NBSmbeQgNIp1NS2bY2tRYRg16surcTZTqszFkO1Sjrv3Q1jiWcxmWEFHFdHU57chdpPQoOMWLBnI3qKn6o/s1234/ceinture.png "A runic inscription on one of the hoard’s arm rings reads: “This is the community’s wealth [property].” Photograph: National Museums Scotland")
The Galloway hoard, discovered in 2014 by a metal detectorist in a ploughed field near Kirkcudbright, Scotland, is widely regarded as one of the richest and most significant Viking-age archaeological finds in Britain or Ireland. The treasure, buried around AD 900, consists of more than 100 precious items, including silver and gold artifacts, intricate jewelry, religious objects, and materials that originated from places as far as Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, Ireland, and even Asia. The discovery includes an Anglo-Saxon silver cross, a rock crystal jar with a Latin inscription, and gold thread crafted by a medieval artisan of outstanding skill.
The long-standing mystery surrounding the ownership of the hoard has now been partially solved with the deciphering of a runic inscription found on one of the hoard’s arm rings, which had puzzled experts for years. The arm ring, one of four elaborately decorated silver “ribbon” rings in the hoard, features an inscription that reads: “This is the community’s wealth [property].” This message suggests that the treasure was intended to be communal property rather than belonging to a single individual, a revelation that challenges previous assumptions.
The inscription was difficult to decipher, with the word “ЇIGNAF” (written in runic characters) not matching any known language of the time. However, researchers concluded that the word could be interpreted as “higna,” which is an Old English term that refers to a community or religious group. The word “DIS” is thought to be a misspelling of the word “this,” and the final rune, “F,” represents “feoh,” meaning wealth or property. Therefore, the inscription essentially declares the hoard as the “community’s wealth.”
This discovery has broader implications, as it suggests that Viking-age treasures may have been viewed and used as communal property rather than as individual wealth, a concept that aligns with some practices of the time, particularly in religious communities. Dr. Martin Goldberg, the principal curator of early medieval and Viking collections at National Museums Scotland (NMS), has highlighted the significance of this interpretation, especially given that such inscriptions are more commonly found in land grants or property claims, not on arm rings.
The hoard was previously thought to have belonged to multiple owners, with some elements of Old English names carved into the arm rings. This new understanding of the hoard’s communal ownership provides a fresh perspective on how Viking and Anglo-Saxon communities might have viewed wealth and property, especially in times of conflict, such as the Viking raids. Dr. David Parsons, a leading runologist at the University of Wales, noted the “unusual” nature of the inscription, remarking that regional variations in both spoken and written language make this discovery even more compelling.
While the exact circumstances of why and how the hoard was buried remain unclear, some theories suggest that it may have been hidden to protect it from Viking raids, which were devastating religious communities and their treasures at the time. The hoard, now housed by National Museums Scotland (NMS), was acquired in 2017 and is now an essential part of the museum's collections. It has been on display internationally, with its first international tour taking place in Adelaide, Australia.
The discovery of the Galloway hoard continues to be one of the most significant archaeological events of the century, providing valuable insights into the material culture, social dynamics, and intricate relationships of the Viking-age world. It invites further exploration into the role of communal property and wealth, offering an exciting new avenue for understanding medieval history.
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