St. Ninian's Isle Treasure
Date:
Second half of the eighth century
Location or Findspot (Modern-Day Country):
United Kingdom
Medium:
Silver,
Gilt-silver
Description:
Twenty-eight silver and gilt-silver objects were found in 1958 on St. Ninian's Isle, part of the Shetland Islands of modern-day Scotland. Most of the objects are examples of Pictish metalwork, and include bowls, decorative scabbards removed from swords, and twelve penanular (i.e., not forming a complete circle) brooches. The objects may have been buried to hide them from Viking raiders at the end of the eighth or beginning of the ninth century.
Relevant Textbook Chapter(s):
4
Repository and Online Resources:
• Read more about the hoard on the website of the National Museums Scotland.
• Watch a video on the hoard with Martin Goldberg, Senior Curator of Early Medieval and Viking collections at National Museums Scotland.
• Learn about the Ballinderry Brooch, a penannular brooch made ca. 600, on the website for A History of Ireland in 100 Objects.
Image Credits:
Wikimedia Commons
