Some of the Galloway Hoard’s most precious treasures were found packed in a silver-gilt lidded vessel. One of them was a unique object made of rare rock crystal fitted with gold. It has a fascinating history as well as an intriguing name on it.
Buried around AD900, the Galloway Hoard is the richest collection of rare and unique Viking-age objects ever found in Britain or Ireland.
The rock crystal object is one of several objects wrapped in textile from the lower deposit of the Hoard. These are the subject of a major conservation and research programme.
When the wrapped bundle was removed it was carefully recorded by AOC Archaeology using X-radiography. These were the first glimpses of the mysterious object underneath its wrappings. We saw a carved rock crystal, mounted with an elaborate gold meshwork with what appeared to be a spout at the top.
The gold baseplate of the rock crystal jar, showing a Latin inscription rendered in gold wire and granulation. The name Hyguald begins at the top left corner.
We worked in partnership with Dan O’Flynn in the Department of Scientific Research at the British Museum. Together we conducted 3D X-radiography that allowed us to see inside the wrapped bundle without disturbing the fragile textiles. Over 1000 X-ray scans were taken from every possible angle. These were then sтιтched together to produce a three-dimensional digital model of the object within. This allowed us to examine the rock crystal object and its gold meshwork for the first time. This method allowed us to preserve the integrity of the fragile fabric wrapping. Better informed, we could then plan further work.
