A decade after its discovery, the Galloway Hoard—Britain’s most significant Viking-era treasure—has revealed a long-guarded secret. A runic inscription on one of its silver arm rings has been deciphered, providing insight into its original ownership and the society that once held it.
A Treasure That Belonged to All
The Galloway Hoard, unearthed in a plowed field in western Scotland in 2014, consists of silver and gold artifacts dating back over 1,000 years. The new inscription suggests that the hoard was not owned by an individual but rather by a collective, possibly a religious community.
Dr. Martin Goldberg, principal curator of early medieval and Viking collections at National Museums Scotland (NMS), described the breakthrough as transformative: “This is the community’s wealth [property],” reads the newly interpreted runic message. The phrase reshapes previous assumptions that the hoard had multiple private owners.
The discovery comes as the hoard begins its first international exhibition in Australia. “We’re spreading the wealth,” Goldberg added. “Everybody owns a bit of this hoard—just like the inscription says.”
Deciphering the Runic Code
The inscription, written inside the curved part of an arm ring, initially puzzled scholars. The phrase “DIS IS ЇIGNA ˑFˑ” didn’t match any known language from early medieval Britain or Ireland. The breakthrough came when experts identified the final rune, “F,” as “feoh,” an Old English term for wealth or property. The word “ЇIGNA” was then linked to the Old English “higna,” meaning community.
Dr. David Parsons, a runology expert from the University of Wales, acknowledged the irregularities in the writing but affirmed its authenticity: “There are a number of things which are technically wrong when we compare it with what we know about correct runic writing. However, allowing for spoken and written variations, it becomes plausible.”
An Artifact of Enormous Historical Value
The hoard includes an extraordinary array of items:
- A silver Anglo-Saxon cross crafted with unmatched skill.
- A rock crystal jar inscribed in Latin, stating, “Bishop Hyguald had me made.”
- Gold threadwork of impeccable quality.
- A collection of arm rings, some bearing Old English names.
These discoveries have led scholars to reconsider who may have buried the hoard. The hoard’s burial is dated to around AD 900, a period of upheaval marked by Viking incursions and shifting territorial boundaries. One possibility is that it was hidden by a religious group fearing Viking raids, particularly as monasteries were frequent targets during that time.
What Was the Community?
Although the inscription confirms communal ownership, it raises further questions. Was the hoard a monastery’s reserve, hidden to protect it from Viking plunder? Or did it belong to a broader societal group, safeguarding its wealth in times of strife?
At the time, Alfred the Great was resisting Norse expansion, laying the foundations for medieval England. Meanwhile, the kingdom of Alba, which would later become Scotland, was emerging. The hoard’s burial could reflect the anxieties of an era where land, power, and faith were in constant flux.
A Global Legacy
Since its discovery, the Galloway Hoard has captivated historians and the public alike. Its acquisition by National Museums Scotland in 2017 secured its place in the nation’s heritage. Now, as it embarks on an international tour, its newfound inscription offers a message as relevant today as it was a millennium ago: this was a treasure meant to be shared.
