Latest news with #Viking-age
The Herald Scotland
01-07-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Plan launched to save heritage of Scotland's for-sale churches
However, around one third of the country's places of worship are predicted to shut by the end of this decade – from buildings with their roots in medieval times to modern structures of architectural significance. Now work is to begin to explore practical solutions to avoid the loss of heritage when churches are closed, while sharing resources and prioritising sites for further action. The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and Scotland's Churches Trust have received a £229,015 funding boost to help ensure a sustainable future for Scotland's churches and their contents. St Mary's Parish Church, Whitekirk, East Lothian (Image: Credit - Scotland's Churches Trust) With almost 200 religious buildings already closed since 2020, the two bodies say the problem is an immediate one which constitutes a 'national challenge for the heritage sector' as many of these churches hold tangible and intangible cultural heritage significance. In addition to their religious and ceremonial use, they also possess tangible architectural, historical, archival, genealogical, archaeological and artistic legacies. These can be of local, regional, national, and international importance and may be sold, lost or damaged depending on the fate of the building. The grant, from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will fund the Finding Futures for Scotland's Churches project and will be used to support the collection of information on these heritage buildings. There will also be work to fill knowledge gaps using heritage surveys, with opportunities for local communities to get involved. This information will be made publicly accessible through a dedicated microsite with a regularly updated database and blog. Many churches are repositories of heritage and cultural artifacts in their architecture (Image: Scotland's Churches Trust) The two-year project will draw together people to connect with organisations as part of an action group to explore practical solutions, share resources and prioritise sites for further action. It will also develop a plan to ensure heritage of local and national importance is not lost when churches are re-used or re-purposed. The National Lottery Heritage Fund also brings to the project its own strong record of delivering new futures for Scotland's historic church buildings through previous work. With support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Govan Old church in Glasgow has been transformed into an internationally-significant heritage attraction as the home of the Govan Stones. These Viking-age monuments are said to be among of the best collections of early medieval sculpture anywhere in the British Isles. In the Cairngorms National Park, the Fund is also supporting the community in partnership with Historic Churches Scotland to develop a new role for St Margaret's Church in Braemar as a cultural hub and performance venue through a grant awarded in 2024. St Margaret's is considered the finest Scottish work of celebrated ecclesiastical architect Sir John Ninian Comper. However, with several hundred churches already on the market, there is a national challenge to understand their significance and address their loss as they are bought and repurposed or sink into dilapidation. Govan Hogsback stone (Image: Credit - Peter Devlin) Dr Helen Spencer FSAScot, Head of Research at the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, said: 'Thanks to National Lottery players, the Society will be able to work with communities across the country to bring together crucial information about the heritage of Scotland's churches. 'Working with Scotland's Churches Trust and the many other groups involved in caring for these places of worship, we hope to make the heritage sector much better prepared when churches are closed or re-purposed, to ensure that important treasures are not lost to the nation forever.' Dr DJ Johnston-Smith, Director of Scotland's Churches Trust, added: 'For hundreds of years, communities across Scotland deposited a trove of culturally significant heritage in their local churches all across the country. This collective cultural inheritance needs to be documented before it vanishes from public sight, possibly forever. 'We look forward to working with the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and colleagues to continue the roll out of our Rapid Church Recording methodology and our ongoing collaborative work with the local congregations and communities who are currently writing the next chapters in the stories of these precious historic buildings.' READ MORE: 'Landmark' chapel and cathedral to undergo urgent repairs 'The situation is stark in Scotland': Conference held to equip churches to stay open Government minister sets up meeting over future of Scotland's crumbling churches Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland, said: 'For centuries, churches have been cultural and physical landmarks at the heart of Scottish community life. A meeting place, a repository of lives and histories and a physical link to the intangible heritage of generations. 'We recognise the significant challenges now facing those churches. This project will take a strategic lead in ensuring there is accurate recording of the heritage of individual churches.
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.
Powys County Times
20-06-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Viking-age jar found by metal detectorist to go on display for first time
A Viking-age rock crystal jar previously owned by a bishop which was part of a hoard found by a metal detectorist is to go on public display for the first time later this year. 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 Herald Scotland
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
New Viking displays bring Orkney's Norse past to life
Designed to share and celebrate the region's Norse heritage, the exhibition has been supported by a generous legacy donation from a former Orkney resident who emigrated to Australia, who left an express wish for his donation to be used to support Viking heritage and history. 'This exhibition not only brings history to life but also reconnects our community with its Viking past,' said Nick Hewitt, Team Leader (Culture) at Orkney Islands Council. 'We've worked closely with local craftspeople, historians, and experts to create something truly special - something that belongs to the people of Orkney.' READ MORE: Astonishing exhibition proves there's still something about Mary Queen of Scots Scottish band to have track housed at virtual Spanish Civil War museum Perth Museum celebrates first birthday after 'remarkable' year of success A key feature of the exhibition is Ragna, an interactive AI-powered Viking woman, offering a first-of-its-kind experience in museums. Visitors can ask Ragna about Viking life in Orkney, bringing historical storytelling to life in a way that museums have been unable to do up until now. Her background story has been written by Tom Muir, local storyteller and Exhibitions Officer at The Orkney Museum for years, and Dr Siobhan Cooke-Miller, Archaeology Curator for the Council. Dr Siobhan Cooke-Miller said: 'Our Viking and Norse past has shaped Orkney's identity and has had a lasting impact on our islands which we can see in our landscape, place-names, language and our rich heritage. "For the people of Orkney, and the thousands of visitors who come to the islands every year, the artefacts and the world class experience made possible by James Groundwater's gift offer an unparalleled and tangible window to our Viking past and the people in a way that transcends the passage of time and brings it to life.' Other highlights include rotating displays of artefacts from the National Museum of Scotland and Orkney's own collection as well as new interpretation panels and multimedia experiences, providing fresh perspectives on Orkney's Norse history. A Viking-age brooch (Image: The Orkney Museum) Councillor Gwenda Shearer, Chair of the committee responsible for the Council's Culture Services said: 'This is a once-in-a-generation overhaul of galleries showcasing one of the most intriguing aspects of our heritage, made possible only by an incredibly generous bequeath. 'We hope everyone will come and see the results of this amazing gift to the people of Orkney. 'Our Culture Services team have sought to incorporate some of the latest understandings and display technology into the new galleries and we're counting down to the time when all can be revealed!' The new exhibition at Orkney Museum opens on Saturday, May 10. To celebrate the exhibition's opening, the museum is hosting special guided walk through tours and Q&A sessions with members of The Orkney Museums team.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
A Passerby Went for a Casual Stroll—and Stumbled Upon a 1,000-Year-Old Viking Artifact
A passerby discovered a rare Viking-era iron bracelet in a wetland on the Swedish island of Öland. The open-ended bracelet style is rare in large part because of the use of iron. Officials plan to undergo a deeper search of the area to see if the find was a one-off or if there is a hoard stashed nearby. In a new discovery announced by the County Administrative Board of Kalmar County in Sweden on a translated Facebook post, someone who officials are calling 'an attentive person' discovered what first appeared to be an unremarkable, rusted-out bracelet. Instead, the find turned out to be a rare example of an iron arm brace from the Viking era. Karl-Oskar Erlandsson (an archaeologist from Kalmar) said that from the over 1,000 Viking-era bracelets in the country's State Historical Museum, only three of the ancient objects are made of iron. This is in part because iron is a highly corrosive material, and experts believe that the oxygen-poor environment of the wetland helped preserve the bracelet better than others like it. That preservation also allowed for the fine craftsmanship of the piece to shine through after 1,000 years. 'The newly found armband is beautifully ornate with rows of points and has animal heads at the ends,' the statement read, regarding the C-shaped bracelet and the raised dots on the exterior. 'Similar findings have been made on Gotland, but this particular variant we have not yet found an exact equivalent to.' Öland was once a key trading post for Sweden, especially during the Viking age. The country's second-largest island sits off the southeast coast of the mainland, surrounded by the Baltic Sea. It was at one time known for the Borgholm Castle, and is also home to Solliden Palace—a royal family summer retreat. Officials have plans to search for more information about the origins of the bracelet, hoping they can find a marking from a workshop or blacksmith once they preserve the armband. Maybe there's even more rare treasure to find, although the fact that the bracelet was discovered in a wetland makes it less likely that it came from a lost settlement or gravesite, the statement read. Still, once the weather allows, officials plan to scour the area with metal detectors to see if they can discover more lost Viking-age treasure. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
