April 2025

Viking-age treasure, unveiling the secrets of the Galloway Hoard, makes global debut in Adelaide

In a first for Adelaide, the South Australian Museum will showcase the Galloway Hoard, a stunning Viking-age treasure trove, starting February 2025, offering a rare glimpse into ancient trade and artistry.

Feature image credit: Brenton Edwards

In a significant international achievement for Adelaide, the South Australian Museum announced it will host the world premiere of the “Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard” exhibition. Scheduled to begin in early February 2025, this marks the first time the collection has been shown outside the United Kingdom.

The Galloway Hoard, discovered in 2014 in southwestern Scotland, encompasses a rich array of Viking-age items buried around AD 900. Known as the richest collection of its kind found in Britain or Ireland, the hoard includes exceptionally rare objects and materials. Dr. Martin Goldberg, Principal Curator at National Museums Scotland, described the hoard as a significant finding offering insights into the era’s unknown aspects.

The Hon. Andrea Michaels MP, Minister for Arts, referred to the arrival of the exhibition as a major cultural event for South Australia. She said “This Australian premiere exhibition, Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard is a coup and will bring another world-class exhibition experience to South Australia. This is going to be a fantastic event that will allow South Australians to learn and explore the Viking Age. The Malinauskas Government is proud to be providing additional support to the South Australian Museum to bring this extraordinary collection to our state.”

The Hon. Zoe Bettison MP, Minister for Tourism, said “We are thrilled to welcome the Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard exhibition to South Australia. This world-first showcase of such significant Viking-age artifacts outside the UK is a testament to our state’s growing reputation as a premier cultural destination.”

“The exhibition will not only offer South Australians a unique opportunity to experience this extraordinary collection but will also attract visitors from across Australia and internationally, boosting our tourism sector and local economy. This is exactly the kind of world-class event that puts Adelaide on the global stage and reinforces our position as a vibrant, culturally rich city.”

Visitors to the exhibition will experience the hoard’s complex burial arrangement, displayed in four distinct parcels, each containing items more unusual and valuable than the last. This includes silver bullion, a rare Anglo-Saxon cross, intricate silver ‘ribbon’ arm-rings, and a lidded, silver gilt vessel filled with curated treasures.

Research and conservation efforts have played a crucial role in unveiling the secrets of the Galloway Hoard. Led by National Museums Scotland, these efforts have revealed previously unseen decorations and inscriptions, providing deeper insights into the items’ origination. Some items, due to their fragility and historical significance, will feature in the exhibition through audiovisual and 3D reconstructions.

Adding to the intrigue, the South Australian Museum discovered two Viking Age artifacts within its own collection. Donated in the 1940s by a private collector, Bertil Gunnarsson-Hagman, these brooches link back to Gotland, Sweden, which was pivotal in Viking Age trade.

The Galloway Hoard was acquired by National Museums Scotland in 2017, supported by multiple organisations and a robust public fundraising effort. The ongoing research into the hoard is part of a three-year project, backed by a £1 million grant from the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

“Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard” will be on display at the South Australian Museum from 8 February to 27 July 2025. Tickets are set to go on sale next month, with the event set to include a diverse range of activities, including a Vikingfest in late June, aiming to draw a wide audience and enrich the cultural landscape of Adelaide.

More info at https://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/

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