European Heritage Blog

Only the 13th recorded Viking sword found in the Island, it was unearthed by Dan Crowe and Rob Farrer while metal detecting in the north west of the Island.

The two Manx Detectorists Society members have found many interesting artefacts over the years, so they knew the importance of what they had found.

Manx National Heritage curator for archaeology, Allison Fox, said: ‘This is only the 13th recorded Viking sword from the Island – but Dan and Rob knew what they were looking at and what to do next, in notifying MNH.

‘Even though they had done exactly the right thing by not cleaning the surface dirt from the finds, when they brought them into the Manx Museum it was clear straight away that we had something very special indeed.’

Initial cleaned by the museum’s conservator revealed the intricate designs of sword’s hilt.

Unfortunately the blade of the sword has not survived.

Landowner John Radcliffe has donated the artefacts to the Manx National Collection.

Further research will be carried out on the sword before it is permanently displayed in the new Viking and Medieval Gallery at the Manx Museum, Douglas.

During the interim period, the sword fragments will be on display in the foyer of the Manx Museum, Douglas, from Monday, May 12.

Source: iomtoday.co.im

London, May 12: Archaeologists have discovered one of the Vikings` most important trading centres in Ireland, which is estimated to be 1,200 years old.

According to a report, a total of 6,000 artefacts and a Viking chieftain`s grave has been discovered at the site, which is located at Woodstown in County Waterford.

It was discovered during archaeological excavations for a road by-pass for Waterford city, which was founded by the Vikings.

The Irish government has said that the settlement is one of the most important early Viking age trading centres discovered in the country.

Its working group, which includes archaeologists from Ireland`s museum and monuments service, said that the newly discovered site was of international significance and showed the community was wealthy and sought to remain at Woodstown permanently.

Almost 6,000 artefacts and a Viking chieftain`s grave have been discovered at the site, which was established by the year 860.

The grave contains a sword, shield and silver mark.

According to the working group`s report, the discoveries of silver and lead weights showed it was apparent that Woodstown falls firmly into the Scandinavian tradition.

“There can be little doubt that many, if not all of the settlement`s occupants were either Scandinavian, or had strong insular Scandinavian associations,” the report said.

“The Woodstown site provides a rare opportunity to study a Scandinavian settlement of this period outside Scandinavia itself,” it said further.