Galloway Hoard Urn Has Sasanian Origins

In 2014, a stunning discovery in Scotland’s Galloway region unveiled a Viking-age treasure trove that has since captivated archaeologists and historians alike. Known as the Galloway Hoard, this collection of ancient treasures offers a rare glimpse into the complex and interconnected world of the early medieval period.

Among the most remarkable finds in the hoard is a lidded urn dating back to around 900 AD, which, as recent studies have revealed, originated not in Europe, but in what is now central Iran. This discovery highlights the vast distances over which valuable items traveled during this era, shedding new light on the cosmopolitan nature of the Viking world.

The lidded vessel from the Galloway Hoard and the Viking-age treasures it contained. (© National Museums Scotland)

A Vessel from the East in Scotland’s Viking Hoard

Discovered in 2014 near Balmaghie, in southwest Scotland, the Galloway Hoard is a collection of Viking-age treasures that has challenged our understanding of the era. The hoard, buried around AD 900, contains a rich assortment of objects, including silver, gold, and textiles, that reflect a complex web of cultural exchanges. However, none are as intriguing as the intricately decorated lidded vessel, whose origins have now been definitively traced to West Asia.

When the vessel was unearthed, it was found wrapped in exceptionally well-preserved textiles, a rare survival that has offered valuable insights into the hoard’s history. These textiles have been carefully studied and largely preserved in situ on the vessel.

Initially, X-ray scans suggested that the vessel might have come from central or western Asia, but it was only through extensive scientific analysis and conservation efforts that its origins in the Sasanian Empire—an Iranian empire that flourished before the rise of Islam—were confirmed and announced on the National Museums Scotland website.

 Another side of the lidded vessel from the Galloway Hoard. (© National Museums Scotland)

Tracing the Vessel’s Journey from Iran to Scotland

The vessel’s journey from Iran to Scotland is a testament to the far-reaching connections of the Viking world. Dr. Martin Goldberg of National Museums Scotland remarked on the significance of this discovery:

“It is incredible to imagine how the vessel made its journey halfway round the known world, from Iran to this distant corner of southwest Scotland.”

This find adds to the growing body of evidence that Viking-age Scandinavians were engaged in extensive trade and cultural exchanges with regions far beyond Europe.

The vessel’s silver and niello (black silver-sulphide inlays) were analyzed using elemental analysis and portable X-ray fluorescence, revealing that the metalwork is an alloy typical of Sasanian silver. The isotopic signature of the lead in the silver and niello matched ore from the Nakhlak mine in central Iran, providing a direct link to its origins. Dr. Jane Kershaw from the University of Oxford, an expert on Viking-age silver, emphasized the importance of these findings:

“It’s fantastic to have scientific confirmation for the distant origins of this remarkable object.”

The Galloway Hoard: A Decade of Discovery

As the vessel prepares to make its public debut at the Silk Roads exhibition in London, it will be displayed alongside other significant objects from the Galloway Hoard, as well as a similar vessel found in northern Britain. The exhibition will provide a unique opportunity for the public to explore the global connections that defined the Viking Age.

The Galloway Hoard, which was acquired by National Museums Scotland in 2017 after an extensive fundraising campaign, continues to be a focus of intense study and conservation. The hoard is not only a treasure trove of material wealth but also a repository of stories that speak to the complex interactions and exchanges that took place during the Viking Age.

While much remains uncertain about who buried the Galloway Hoard and why, ongoing research has uncovered fascinating details that offer glimpses into the lives of those who owned and created these objects. These include a Christian pectoral cross, a silver arm ring with a runic inscription, and a rock crystal jar with a gold filigree inscription.

As part of the 10th-anniversary celebrations, an online event titled “Galloway Hoard: A Decade of Discovery” will be held on September 11, featuring key members of the research team. The hoard will eventually go on long-term display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, with portions also displayed at Kirkcudbright Galleries, ensuring that these remarkable objects continue to inspire and educate for years to come.

Top image: The Galloway hoard urn has been revealed to have originated in Iran.          Source: © National Museums Scotland

By Gary Manners