Experts find ‘extraordinary’ Roman rock crystal jar in Viking-era treasure hoard from Scotland

It was a sorry-looking object when it was unearthed in 2014 from a ploughed field in western Scotland, having been buried for almost a thousand years ago.

Now an extraordinary treasure has emerged – a spectacular Roman rock crystal jar wrapped in the most delicate gold thread by the finest medieval craftsman in the late 8th or early 9th century.

It was part of the Galloway Hoard, the richest collection of rare and unique Viking-age objects ever found in Britain or Ireland, acquired by the National Museums Scotland (NMS) in 2017.

Buried around AD900, it contained around 100 artefacts from the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, Ireland and as far away as Asia.

It was unearthed by Derek McLennan, a retired businessman, who was out with his metal detector on church-owned land in Kirkcudbrightshire, southwestern Scotland.

This Roman rock crystal jar was wrapped in delicate gold thread by some of the finest medieval craftsman in the late 8th or early 9th century

This Roman rock crystal jar was wrapped in delicate gold thread by some of the finest medieval craftsman in the late 8th or early 9th century

The small jar was found as part of the Galloway Hoard in 2014 and acquired three years later by the National Museums Scotland

The small jar was found as part of the Galloway Hoard in 2014 and acquired three years later by the National Museums Scotland

The crystal jar's base is decorated with swirling gold ornaments in a lavish display of wealth. The hoard was found by Derek McLennan, a retired businessman, who was out with his metal detector on church-owned land in Kirkcudbrightshire, southwestern Scotland

The crystal jar’s base is decorated with swirling gold ornaments in a lavish display of wealth. The hoard was found by Derek McLennan, a retired businessman, who was out with his metal detector on church-owned land in Kirkcudbrightshire, southwestern Scotland

Experts were initially unaware of the jar's value as it was shrouded in a shrivelled pouch that was masking its true value

Experts were initially unaware of the jar’s value as it was shrouded in a shrivelled pouch that was masking its true value

Once the cleaning process started it became clear it was far more valuable than originally thought. Pictured:The jar before the final stage of restoration

Once the cleaning process started it became clear it was far more valuable than originally thought.

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