Viking treasure worth £1m goes on display

A £1million collection of Viking artefacts, discovered by two amateur treasure-hunters using metal detectors, is being unveiled today at the British Museum.

Experts say the artefacts, including hundreds of silver coins, ornaments and a spectacular gilt silver vessel, are the most important Viking hoard discovered in Britain in the last 150 years.

The collection is expected to be officially declared treasure today, paving the way for the museum to buy it and put it on public display.

The pieces were found in January, on farmland in North Yorkshire, by father and son David and Andrew Whelan. They alerted the authorities and experts from the British Museum were called in to excavate the site.

The hoard's existence has been kept a secret until now as the authorities decided whether it could formally be declared treasure.

The coroner for North Yorkshire is expected to make that announcement today, meaning Mr Whelan, 60, and his 35-yearold son will be entitled to a 50 per cent share of its sale price. The landowner will get the other half.

Culture minister Margaret Hodge said today: "Finds such as this are invaluable in teaching us about our history. I commend David and Andrew Whelan for their prompt and responsible reporting of this hugely significant find, which will enrich our understanding of the Vikings."

The treasure includes 617 silver coins, complete ornaments and ingots.

Experts say it illustrates the diversity of cultural contacts in the medieval world, with some of objects coming from as far as Afghanistan in the east and Ireland in the west, as well as Russia, Scandinavia and continental Europe.

The single most important piece is the gilt silver vessel, made in what is now France in the ninth century. It was intended for use in church services and was possibly either looted from a monastery by Vikings or given to them in tribute.

Most of the smaller objects were hidden inside this vessel, which was itself protected by some form of lead container. As a result, the pieces were extremely well-preserved.