A thousand years of mystery, craftsmanship, and cultural connection come to life this winter as Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard opens at Melbourne Museum from 29 August 2025.
Described as “one of the most significant European archaeological discoveries of the century,” the Galloway Hoard offers Australians a once-in-a-lifetime chance to view a dazzling collection of rare Viking Age artefacts – many never seen before outside the United Kingdom.
Discovered in 2014 in southwest Scotland and buried around AD900, the Galloway Hoard was unearthed in four distinct parcels. It includes more than 5kg of silver bullion, along with gold, rock crystal, textiles and artefacts that shine a light on early medieval Europe and its far-reaching connections.
“This is a rare opportunity for our visitors to experience up close a time capsule of 1,000-year-old objects from the Viking Age—a time in history that changed culture, politics and trade,” said Lynley Crosswell, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Museums Victoria.
The Hoard has captivated experts and the public alike, with groundbreaking discoveries continuing as recently as February 2025, when a new runic translation uncovered fresh insight into the Hoard’s original owner.
Dr Martin Goldberg of National Museums Scotland said: “The exhibition contains a spectacular and varied selection of material… showcasing the results of nearly a decade’s worth of dedicated research.”
Visitors to Melbourne Museum can hear Dr Goldberg speak at a special opening night curator lecture on Friday 29 August, with further talks across the weekend. Tickets are on sale now.
