In a stroke of luck, a man digging at an archaeological site uncovered an ancient jar dating back 1,000 years, altering the course of his life forever. This serendipitous discovery serves as a testament to the unexpected twists of fate and the profound impact of history on the present, inspiring awe and wonder at the mysteries buried beneath our feet.
Now this little pot’s secrets have finally been revealed almost two years after it was discovered, with the items stashed inside the vessel for 1,000 years revealed in all their glory.
The rare pieces, discovered in a field in Galloway, Scotland, include a silver brooch from Ireland and silk from around modern-day Istanbul as well as gold and crystal.
Precious artefacts stashed inside a Viking pot buried for 1,000 years have been revealed, including a stylist brooch (pictured above). It also held silk from around modern-day Istanbul as well as gold and crystal
‘That exercise offered us a tantalising glimpse but didn’t prepare me for what was to come.
‘These stunning objects provide us with an unparalleled insight to what was going on in the minds of the Vikings in Galloway all those years ago.
‘They tell us about the sensibilities of the time, reveal displays of regal rivalries and some of the objects even betray an underlying sense of humour, which the Vikings aren’t always renowned for.’
The intricate items (one shown) date from the 9th and 10th centuries, and are part of a wider hoard of about 100 pieces. Richard Welander, of Historic Environment Scotland, said: ‘These stunning objects provide us with an unparalleled insight to what was going on in the minds of the Vikings in Galloway all those years ago’
The items were found by metal detectorist Derek McClennan, 47, in September 2014, who painstakingly searched an unidentified area of Church of Scotland land in Dumfries and Galloway for more than a year in the hunt for treasure
