Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard

Buried around AD 900, the Galloway Hoard brings together a stunning variety of materials and treasures from Ireland, the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, and as far away as Asia. The Hoard transports us back to a critical movement in history: the formation of the political entities we now know as Scotland, England and Ireland, in a time of Viking raids.

Through engaging with the treasures of the Galloway Hoard, students will experience firsthand how primary sources can shift perspectives and understandings of the past. Along with the remarkable objects themselves, the exhibition features ground-breaking research into these treasures and what they reveal about Viking-age Britain.

Students will discover the fascinating details artefacts reveal about the ambitions, conflicts, relationships, and religious beliefs of people from medieval Britain. The different sources of the objects – from nearby in Ireland and the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, to those from as far as Scandinavia, Rome and down the Silk Roads to Asia – will allow students to explore a world of connections.

This is a self-guided tour for students – supported by an exhibition booklet to deepen their experience.

Students will experience

• A close look at some rare artefacts.
• Deeper insight into a society at a time of transformation across the British Isles.

Students will learn

• About the methods and work of archaeologists, museum curators and conservators.
• How objects have stories and what they can reveal about the past.
• How medieval Europe was connected to the wider known world.
• About the contested nature of history.
• To interpret and analyse material evidence.  

Students will be provided

• Exhibition trail / activity booklet to complete within the exhibition and back at school!

Students will need

A pencil for making notes in booklets.

Other key information

• Please note, this is a self-guided tour of the exhibition.