New glimpse of Galloway Hoard to be revealed in Aberdeen exhibition
People will be able to get new insight into one of the country’s most significant archaeological finds when newly revealed images of the Galloway Hoard go on display.
The Aberdeen Art Gallery will display the images of gold filigree objects from the hoard, which were bound with rare silk braids, from July 30 to October 23.
The items were wrapped in a bundle of textiles too fragile to be displayed and are currently being investigated in Edinburgh as part of ongoing searches for the treasure.
The exhibit, Galloway Hoard: Viking-age Treasure, offers the first chance to see details hidden for over 1,000 years, revealed through expert conservation, careful cleaning and cutting-edge research.
Chris Breward, Director of National Museums Scotland, said: “The exhibition is a fabulous opportunity to see the treasure much more clearly than before and to get a glimpse of the incredibly detailed work we have done and continue to do so that we can understand it more fully.
Researchers from the University of Glasgow have identified up to 12 different textiles in the hoard.
These recent research findings are the subject of a new interactive exhibit created for the Aberdeen leg of the tour.
The Galloway Hoard is the richest collection of rare and unique Viking Age artefacts ever found in Britain or Ireland.
Buried around 900, the hoard brings together a number of objects and materials into a single find.
Gold filigree objects are often referred to as “aestels”, instruments that were previously believed to hold a piece of bone or wood and be used as a pointer to follow text when reading.
This is the first time a group of these gold objects have been found together and the associated textiles provide new clues to their use.
The presence of braided silk in the sockets of the gold objects shows that they were all connected and this new evidence casts doubt on the previous categorization. Further research will be conducted on their true purpose and use.
Angus Robertson, Culture Secretary, said: “The Galloway Hoard is one of the most important collections of artefacts ever discovered in Scotland.
“National Museums Scotland’s Treasure Exhibition Tour provides a unique opportunity for the Scottish public and visitors to view its many treasures.”
And Councilor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesman, said it gave people “a welcome opportunity to appreciate this fascinating treasure”.
“The exhibit allows us to appreciate the intricate craftsmanship and consider the historical significance of these intriguing objects,” he said.
“They belong to everyone, so I hope as many people as possible will visit this important example of our shared heritage.
“It is particularly fortunate that the Book of the Stag can also be seen locally at this time. Together these artefacts raise many questions about the culture and identity of Scotland in the early Middle Ages.
“It is important to display objects like these in Aberdeen, as inspecting and interpreting these kinds of artefacts helps us understand how modern Scotland came to be.”
The Galloway Hoard will eventually go on long-term display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, with a significant and representative part of it also on long-term display at the Kirkcudbright Galleries.