Melbourne Museum: Treasures of the Viking Age - The Galloway Hoard at Melbourne Museum

Step Into the World of the Viking Age

Visit the Melbourne Museum and immerse yourself in the remarkable story of the Galloway Hoard, an ancient Viking-age treasure seized from the Scottish landscape. This special collection, buried around AD 900 and rediscovered in 2014, stands as one of the most significant archaeological finds from early medieval Scotland.

Discover Ancient Artefacts

The Galloway Hoard contains more than 5kg of precious silver, gold and other rare materials gathered from Britain, Ireland, mainland Europe and as far as Central Asia. The collection features intricately crafted jewellery, family heirlooms and mysterious items whose purposes are yet to be fully understood.

What makes this hoard especially remarkable is the condition in which many items were preserved. Buried deep and protected from the outside world for over 1,000 years, even delicate textiles such as silk have survived—offering insights into Viking connections and craftsmanship seldom seen elsewhere.

See History Come Alive

This internationally significant collection invites visitors to learn about a pivotal period for the British Isles. The exhibition reveals how Viking, Anglo-Saxon, and Celtic cultures collided, traded and shaped early medieval society. Unique objects on display shed light on the skills, relationships and ambitions of those who travelled, traded and settled across the region.

View over 90 carefully conserved pieces, including arm rings, brooches and gold objects

Examine textiles and treasures tracing distant trade routes

Learn what makes the Galloway Hoard unique in the story of the British Isles

Experience Research and Restoration

The display not only brings the objects themselves into focus but also highlights the continuing research that is transforming our understanding of the Viking Age. Cutting-edge conservation reveals the methods used to protect, clean and investigate the hoard’s authentic artefacts.

Engage with multimedia exhibits and discover how science and history combine to bring lost stories to life. The Galloway Hoard continues to challenge and inspire archaeologists, historians and visitors alike.

Your Visit to Melbourne Museum

Your ticket includes full access to Melbourne Museum and to this special exhibition. Explore at your own pace and absorb centuries of history in the heart of Melbourne.

Wheelchair accessible facilities throughout the museum

Open daily, giving you flexibility in planning

Book your Melbourne Museum: Treasures of the Viking Age - The Galloway Hoard tickets now!