08 June 2022
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Galloway Hoard Researcher Dr Adrian Maldonado examines the pectoral cross from The Galloway Hoard
The display of one of the most important UK archaeological finds of the century, The Galloway Hoard, has become the most popular exhibition to be held in Kirkcudbright Galleries since the venue opened in 2018.
Galloway Hoard: Viking-age Treasure, which is on at Kirkcudbright Galleries until 10 July, has now welcomed over 30,000 visitors. It is touring thanks to support from the Scottish Government and will move on to Aberdeen Art Gallery from 30 July.
The Galloway Hoard is the richest collection of rare and unique Viking-age objects ever found in Britain or Ireland. Buried around AD900, the Hoard brings together a stunning variety of objects and materials in one discovery.
Beads, curios, and heirloom objects were bundled and strung together resting as a group on a silver brooch-hoop at the top of the lidded vessel in the Galloway Hoard
The exhibition offers the chance to see details hidden for over a thousand years, revealed by expert conservation, painstaking cleaning and cutting-edge research. It was updated in December with a digital display detailing new research into a rock crystal jar, part of the Hoard which remained in Edinburgh for study and conservation. Removal of the fragile textile wrappings revealed an inscription bearing the name ‘Hyguald’, thought to be a Northumbrian bishop. The revelation led to national and international news coverage for the Hoard and for the exhibition in Kirkcudbright.
4K_image Ray traced render of the vessel from the Galloway Hoard
Dr Chris Breward, Director of National Museums Scotland said: “We are delighted at the success of Galloway Hoard: Viking-age Treasure, both in the number of visitors it has attracted and the hugely positive public response to the exhibition. It has been a pleasure to work with our colleagues at Kirkcudbright Galleries and we look forward to continuing our collaboration around the Galloway Hoard for many years to come."
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Further research continues into the Galloway Hoard. The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) awarded support for a £1m, three-year research project, Unwrapping the Galloway Hoard, led by National Museums Scotland in partnership with the University of Glasgow which commenced in June 2021.
The Galloway Hoard will eventually go on long-term display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh with a 'significant and representative portion' of it also displayed long-term at Kirkcudbright Galleries.
(report and images courtesy National Museums Scotland)
