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Gardener's Surprise: Denmark's Largest Viking Silver Cache Found
4 Sep
Summary
- A Viking Age silver hoard weighing 18.5 kg was discovered in a Danish garden.
- The treasure includes around 700 pieces, featuring coins, jewelry, and silver bars.
- This discovery is nearly three times larger than Denmark's second-largest known hoard.
A routine gardening project in Denmark's Rebild municipality led to the discovery of the largest Viking Age silver hoard ever found in the country. The anonymous finder unearthed approximately 700 silver objects, totaling 18.5 kilograms, during preparations for a new garden terrace. This massive treasure far surpasses Denmark's previously known second-largest hoard, the Terslevskat, which weighed about 6.5 kilograms.
The hoard contains a variety of items, including around 320 pieces still within their original clay vessel, suggesting a 10th-century burial. Among the finds are silver bars, jewelry, cut objects, and 47 coins, some fragmented. The presence of Arab and Anglo-Saxon coins highlights extensive trade connections across Europe and beyond during the Viking Age, with some coins minted under Anglo-Saxon King Edward the Elder.
Archaeologists note the hoard's significance extends beyond its size, illustrating how silver functioned as a store of wealth and a medium of exchange. One silver bar bears a runic inscription, possibly a name or ownership mark. Although a full excavation is not possible due to the location in a built-up area, the treasure is undergoing assessment at Denmark's National Museum and is planned for future display.
