The most important Viking hoard in the last 150 years was discovered on farmland in Yorkshire
A £1 million collection of Viking artefacts, discovered by a father and son team of amateur treasure-hunters using metal detectors, is set to be unveiled at the British Museum.
Experts say the artefacts, including hundreds of silver coins, ornaments and a spectacular gilt silver vessel, are the most important Viking hoard discovered in Britain in the last 150 years.
The collection is expected to be officially declared treasure today, paving the way for the museum to buy it and put it on public display.
The pieces were found in January, on farmland in North Yorkshire, by father and son David and Andrew Whelan. They alerted the authorities and experts from the British Museum were called in to excavate the site.
The hoard’s existence has been kept a secret until now.
The coroner for North Yorkshire is expected to make that announcement today, meaning Mr Whelan, 60, and his 35-year-old son will be entitled to a 50 per cent share of its sale price. The landowner will get the other half.Culture minister Margaret Hodge said today: “Finds such as this are invaluable in teaching us about our history. I commend David and Andrew Whelan for their prompt and responsible reporting of this hugely significant find, which will enrich our understanding of the Vikings.”
The treasure includes 617 silver coins, complete ornaments and ingots.
Experts say it illustrates the diversity of cultural contacts in the medieval world, with some of objects coming from as far as Afghanistan in the east and Ireland in the west, as well as Russia, Scandinavia and continental Europe.
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