Latest news with #Hyguald
Daily Record
24-06-2025
- Science
- Daily Record
Ancient Viking crystal jar buried over 1,000 years ago to go on public display in Scotland
The Viking hoard was buried in around AD 900 and contains extraordinary items, including brooches, bracelets, pendants and rare relics. A remarkable rock crystal jar from the Galloway Hoard, one of the most significant Viking discoveries in the UK this century, will go on public display for the first time later this year at Kirkcudbright Galleries. Unearthed in 2014 by metal detectorist Derek McLennan near Dumfries, the hoard was buried around AD 900 and contains an extraordinary array of items, including brooches, bracelets, pendants and rare relics. Among them is the ornate rock crystal jar, which resembles a perfume bottle and features intricate gold embellishments. National Museums Scotland, which acquired the collection in 2017, revealed the jar had been carefully wrapped in linen, placed in a silk-lined leather pouch, and sealed inside a larger lidded vessel alongside over 20 other precious objects. Due to the fragile condition of the medieval textiles that encased it, believed to include Scotland's earliest example of silk, the jar has never before been on display. Experts believe the jar is linked to the early medieval Christian church. A Latin inscription in gold, translated as 'Bishop Hyguald had me made,' is the clearest indication that at least part of the hoard may have originated from a religious community. While gaps in 9th-century church records prevent precise identification, Hyguald is thought to have been a Northumbrian bishop. This theory connects the hoard to the early medieval kingdom of Northumbria, which once encompassed Dumfries and Galloway and stretched from Edinburgh to Sheffield. Dr Martin Goldberg of National Museums Scotland described the piece as 'one of the highlight objects from the Galloway Hoard.' He added: 'From the beautiful rock crystal itself, originally carved in the form of a classical Corinthian column two thousand years ago, to the incredibly intricate gold decoration added hundreds of years later and including a clear inscription identifying its owner, this one object exemplifies the complex, connected and historic nature of the Galloway Hoard.' Another key Christian artefact in the hoard is a magnificent Anglo-Saxon pectoral cross, featuring depictions of the four apostles. Also significant is an arm ring bearing an Old English runic inscription, newly proposed to read as 'the community's wealth', suggesting a communal, possibly monastic, origin for some of the treasure. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Dr Goldberg added: 'The jar was the subject of international attention when we first revealed the inscription, and it's great to be able to put it on display for the first time in Kirkcudbright.' The hoard's global tour, Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard, is currently on show at the South Australian Museum in Adelaide until 27 July. It will move to the Melbourne Museum from 29 August 2025 to 26 January 2026. Further international venues will be announced in due course, along with long-term plans for the hoard's display in both Edinburgh and Kirkcudbright, near where it was discovered.
Daily Record
21-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Viking-age jar found by metal detectorist in Scotland to go on display for first time
The rock crystal jar is part of a wider collection of items discovered in 2014 called the Galloway Hoard. A Viking-age rock crystal jar, once owned by a mystery bishop is set to go on public display for the first time. The artefact, previously owned by a bishop, was part of a hoard found by a metal detectorist is to go on public display for the first time later this year. It was buried near Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway around 900AD, where it stayed hidden until a metal detectorist discovered it in 2014. The jar will go on show at Kirkcudbright Galleries on November 8, close to where it was found. Standing 5cm high, the jar resembles a perfume bottle and is decorated with gold filigree. It is believed to have had an ecclesiastical function within the Catholic Church, as the gold inscription written on the jar says 'Bishop Hyguald had me made'. Because church records from the 9th century are patchy, researchers have struggled to identify Bishop Hyguald but believe he was likely a Northumbrian bishop. Dumfries and Galloway was previously part of the medieval kingdom of Northumbria. A further translation of an Old English runic inscription from the arm ring in the Galloway Hoard has been proposed, describing a portion of the hoard as 'the community's wealth'. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The jar, found wrapped in linen, was carefully unwrapped over several months to avoid damage, which is why it's only now ready for display. Martin Goldberg from National Museums Scotland said: 'The rock crystal jar is one of the highlight objects from the Galloway Hoard. 'From the beautiful rock crystal itself, originally carved in the form of a classical Corinthian column two thousand years ago, to the incredibly intricate gold decoration added hundreds of years later and including a clear inscription identifying its owner, this one object exemplifies the complex, connected and historic nature of the Galloway Hoard. 'The jar was the subject of international attention when we first revealed the inscription, and it's great to be able to put it on display it for the first time in Kirkcudbright.' Maureen Johnstone, chairwoman of Dumfries and Galloway Council's education, skills and community wellbeing committee, added: 'We are excited to see this important and unique object in Kirkcudbright. 'Dumfries and Galloway Council is very proud of the ongoing partnership with National Museums Scotland which has already produced two superb exhibitions at Kirkcudbright Galleries. 'I have no doubt the rock crystal jar will be a fascinating exhibit, I am looking forward to it.' The Viking Age hoard was acquired by National Museums Scotland in 2017 with the support of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund, and the Scottish Government, as well as a major public fundraising campaign.
South Wales Guardian
20-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Guardian
Viking-age jar found by metal detectorist to go on display for first time
The jar is part of the Galloway Hoard, a collection of objects from Ireland, the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, and as far away as Asia. It was buried near Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway around 900AD, where it remained until it was discovered by a metal detectorist in 2014. The jar is due to go on display at Kirkcudbright Galleries on November 8, near where it was discovered. The 5cm high jar resembles an ornate perfume bottle and is decorated in gold filigree. It is thought to have had an ecclesiastical function within the Catholic Church, as the gold inscription written on the jar says 'Bishop Hyguald had me made'. Due to gaps in church records in the 9th century, finding out who Bishop Hyguald was has proved difficult for researchers, but they have concluded he was most likely a Northumbrian bishop. Dumfries and Galloway was previously part of the medieval kingdom of Northumbria. A further translation of an Old English runic inscription from the arm ring in the Galloway Hoard has been proposed, describing a portion of the hoard as 'the community's wealth'. The jar, found wrapped in linen, was carefully unwrapped over a number of months in order not to damage the item, meaning it is only now available for display. Martin Goldberg from National Museums Scotland said: 'The rock crystal jar is one of the highlight objects from the Galloway Hoard. 'From the beautiful rock crystal itself, originally carved in the form of a classical Corinthian column two thousand years ago, to the incredibly intricate gold decoration added hundreds of years later and including a clear inscription identifying its owner, this one object exemplifies the complex, connected and historic nature of the Galloway Hoard. 'The jar was the subject of international attention when we first revealed the inscription, and it's great to be able to put it on display it for the first time in Kirkcudbright.' Maureen Johnstone, chairwoman of Dumfries and Galloway Council's education, skills and community wellbeing committee, added: 'We are excited to see this important and unique object in Kirkcudbright. 'Dumfries and Galloway Council is very proud of the ongoing partnership with National Museums Scotland which has already produced two superb exhibitions at Kirkcudbright Galleries. 'I have no doubt the rock crystal jar will be a fascinating exhibit, I am looking forward to it.' The Viking Age hoard was acquired by National Museums Scotland in 2017 with the support of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund, and the Scottish Government, as well as a major public fundraising campaign.
Leader Live
20-06-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Viking-age jar found by metal detectorist to go on display for first time
The jar is part of the Galloway Hoard, a collection of objects from Ireland, the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, and as far away as Asia. It was buried near Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway around 900AD, where it remained until it was discovered by a metal detectorist in 2014. The jar is due to go on display at Kirkcudbright Galleries on November 8, near where it was discovered. The 5cm high jar resembles an ornate perfume bottle and is decorated in gold filigree. It is thought to have had an ecclesiastical function within the Catholic Church, as the gold inscription written on the jar says 'Bishop Hyguald had me made'. Due to gaps in church records in the 9th century, finding out who Bishop Hyguald was has proved difficult for researchers, but they have concluded he was most likely a Northumbrian bishop. Dumfries and Galloway was previously part of the medieval kingdom of Northumbria. A further translation of an Old English runic inscription from the arm ring in the Galloway Hoard has been proposed, describing a portion of the hoard as 'the community's wealth'. The jar, found wrapped in linen, was carefully unwrapped over a number of months in order not to damage the item, meaning it is only now available for display. Martin Goldberg from National Museums Scotland said: 'The rock crystal jar is one of the highlight objects from the Galloway Hoard. 'From the beautiful rock crystal itself, originally carved in the form of a classical Corinthian column two thousand years ago, to the incredibly intricate gold decoration added hundreds of years later and including a clear inscription identifying its owner, this one object exemplifies the complex, connected and historic nature of the Galloway Hoard. 'The jar was the subject of international attention when we first revealed the inscription, and it's great to be able to put it on display it for the first time in Kirkcudbright.' Maureen Johnstone, chairwoman of Dumfries and Galloway Council's education, skills and community wellbeing committee, added: 'We are excited to see this important and unique object in Kirkcudbright. 'Dumfries and Galloway Council is very proud of the ongoing partnership with National Museums Scotland which has already produced two superb exhibitions at Kirkcudbright Galleries. 'I have no doubt the rock crystal jar will be a fascinating exhibit, I am looking forward to it.' The Viking Age hoard was acquired by National Museums Scotland in 2017 with the support of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund, and the Scottish Government, as well as a major public fundraising campaign.
The Herald Scotland
20-06-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Crustal jar from the Galloway Hoard to go on show for first time
The Galloway Hoard, which was made up of more than 5kg of gold, silver and other materials, was discovered by a metal detectorist in Balmaghie, near Kirkcudbright, in 2014. Among the artefacts, the rock-crystal jar stood out as it was wrapped in linen, and placed in a leather pouch later revealed to be lined with silk. The pouch was then packed within a larger lidded vessel with two dozen other treasures. After painstaking conservation, the jar was found to bear a Latin inscription, also written in gold which translates as, 'Bishop Hyguald had me made.' The jar is thought to have belonged to a bishop (Image: NMS) When first seen, the object was hidden within its wrappings, but 3D X-ray imaging produced in partnership with the British Museum allowed the object to be observed without damaging it. This produced the first glimpse of the inscription on the base, enabling it to be read and translated. Over a number of months, the object was carefully separated from the textile wrapping, a rare medieval survival itself - which includes Scotland's earliest example of silk. Dr Martin Goldberg from National Museums Scotland said: 'The rock crystal jar is one of the highlight objects from the Galloway Hoard. 'From the beautiful rock crystal itself, originally carved in the form of a classical Corinthian column two thousand years ago, to the incredibly intricate gold decoration added hundreds of years later and including a clear inscription identifying its owner, this one object exemplifies the complex, connected and historic nature of the Galloway Hoard. 'The jar was the subject of international attention when we first revealed the inscription, and it's great to be able to put it on display it for the first time in Kirkcudbright.' The jar will go on show later this year (Image: NMS) Cllr Maureen Johnstone, Chair of the Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Committee, said: 'We are excited to see this important and unique object in Kirkcudbright. Dumfries and Galloway Council is very proud of the ongoing partnership with National Museums Scotland which has already produced two superb exhibitions at Kirkcudbright Galleries. 'I have no doubt the Rock Crystal Jar will be a fascinating exhibit, I am looking forward to it.' Due to gaps in church records in the 9th century, when the hoard is thought to have been buried, it has not been possible to more precisely identify Hyguald or where exactly he was based, but it is likely that he was a Northumbrian bishop. The inscription was the clearest evidence that some of the material in the hoard may have come from a church or religious community in the early medieval kingdom of Northumbria, which included Dumfries and Galloway, and stretched as far north as Edinburgh and as far south as Sheffield. Since this was first read, a further translation of an Old English runic inscription from an arm ring in the Galloway Hoard has been proposed, describing a portion of the hoard as 'the community's wealth'. Another clear Christian association in the hoard is a magnificent Anglo-Saxon pectoral cross inscribed with depictions of the four apostles. The Galloway Hoard was acquired by National Museums Scotland in 2017 with the support of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund, and the Scottish Government, as well as a major public fundraising campaign. Since then, it has undergone extensive conservation and research at the National Museums Collection Centre as well as having been shown at the National Museum of Scotland, Aberdeen Art Gallery and Kirkcudbright Galleries, where it attracted record-breaking visitor numbers. Further venues for the international tour will be announced in due course, as will plans for the hoard's future display after the tour's conclusion, including both in Edinburgh and in Kirkcudbright, near where it was discovered. The research in the hoard was supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), which awarded £1 million for the three-year research project Unwrapping the Galloway Hoard, led by National Museums Scotland in partnership with the University of Glasgow. The project has also seen collaboration with experts from across the UK and Ireland, including The British Museum, Oxford University, University of Wales (Trinity St David), St Andrews University, and University College Cork.
