A renowned Viking-age silver hoard uncovered in Scotland may have been owned by a whole community rather than a single individual. Scholars have decoded portions of runic inscriptions on silver pieces, revealing family nicknames and phrases such as “this is the community’s property,” suggesting the treasure may have belonged to a religious group.
The discovery of over 11 pounds of predominantly silver treasure hidden in a pit in Scotland in 2014 puzzled experts initially, but new linguistic analyses have shed light on the mystery. It appears that the treasure may have been collectively owned by a community.
When the find, now called the Galloway Hoard, was unearthed in Balmaghie, Scotland, little was known about its origins. However, the presence of names and messages left by the original owners has provided valuable insights. The hoard contains arm rings with runic inscriptions, with one piece near the pit bearing a significant message.
Initially believed to be Old Norse inscriptions, the runic script was later identified as Anglo-Saxon, featuring Old English words and names. The Galloway Hoard, considered the most substantial Viking-age collection found in Britain or Ireland, comprises multiple deposits, with the lower section holding the most valuable items.
Distinct inscriptions on the silver pieces include names like “Edgar,” “Tila,” and “Bercol, Berwulf, or Berric.” One difficult inscription on a large arm ring led experts to discover puncts resembling those in medieval manuscripts under a microscope, providing a breakthrough in deciphering the message.
These findings offer a glimpse into the possible communal ownership of the Galloway Hoard, adding depth to the fascinating history of this ancient treasure.
The abbreviation used to denote the largest ring now unveils its eventual translation as “this is the community’s property.” Martin Goldberg, a representative from the museum, expressed his enthusiasm about this revelation, stating, “this is another really interesting and significant development in our understanding of the Galloway Hoard.” He finds the concept of communal ownership of the wealth represented by the hoard to be captivating. Maldonado and Parsons suggest that the term ‘community’ may have encompassed the entire treasure or specifically referred to the silver contained in the leather bag. They speculate that the community in question was likely a monastic one, as evidenced by the ecclesiastical items found alongside the treasure. The scholars emphasize that the belongings were not likely the possessions of a single individual.
Though this breakthrough sheds light on the hoard’s inscription, numerous mysteries persist. Questions linger about the number of people aware of the communal burial, the reasons behind its interment, and the absence of any attempts to unearth it. The answers to these enigmas currently rest with Egbert, Tila, and Berwulf. Only time will tell if these lingering questions will be resolved.
