[MR] Viking hoard found by father and son : www.telegraph.co.uk

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Viking hoard found by father and son


By Sally Peck
Last Updated: 1:48am BST 23/07/2007

The British Museum

A father and son metal detecting team has unearthed the most 
important Viking treasure hoard found in Britain for more than 150 years.
Viking hoard found by father and son metal detecting team

The British Museum said the hoard was of global significance

David Whelan and his son, Andrew, discovered the treasure, which 
includes 617 silver coins, a gold arm-ring and a gilt silver vessel, 
in Harrogate in January.

Conservators at the British Museum then excavated each of the 
medieval objects, which come from as far apart as Afghanistan in the 
East and Ireland in the West, as well as Russia, Scandinavia and 
continental Europe.

David and Andrew Whelan found viking treasure with metal detect

The Whelans kept their find intact, aiding curators in their 
subsequent excavation

The most spectacular single object is a gilt silver vessel, made in 
what is now France in the first half of the ninth century. It was 
apparently intended for use in church services, and was probably 
looted from a monastery by Vikings, or given to them in tribute, 
conservators said.

Most of the smaller objects were hidden inside this vessel, which was 
itself protected by some form of lead container. As a result, the 
hoard was extremely well-preserved.

The coins include several new or rare types, providing valuable new 
information about the history of England in the early tenth century, 
as well as Yorkshire's wider cultural contacts in the period.

At a Treasure Trove Inquest in Harrogate today, North Yorkshire 
Coroner Geoff Fell declared the hoard as a treasure under the terms 
of the Treasure Act (1996), and said: " Treasure cases are always 
interesting, but this is one of the most exciting cases that I have 
ever had to rule on.
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The hoard will now be valued for the Department of Culture, Media and 
Sport by the Independent Treasure Valuation Committee.

The British Museum, York Museum Trust and Harrogate Borough Council's 
Museum's and Arts Service will work on raising money to exhibit the 
new acquisition.

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