In early February 2025, the South Australian Museum will host the Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard exhibition — a world-first showcase of Viking-age treasures never before seen outside the UK.
The Galloway Hoard, discovered in 2014 in southwest Scotland, is the largest and most valuable collection of Viking-era artefacts ever found in Britain or Ireland. Buried around AD 900, it provides an extraordinary glimpse into the past, containing a wealth of objects that paint a vivid picture of the Viking Age.
This exhibition will make its first stop in Adelaide before embarking on a global tour, marking a major cultural milestone for both the South Australian Museum and the city of Adelaide. This is the first time the Hoard has been shown outside of the United Kingdom, making it an exclusive event for Australian audiences.
Visitors will be able to journey through the Hoard’s four distinct parcels, each revealing more about the Viking world. The treasures were buried together as a collection of items, ranging from silver bullion to gold jewellery and religious relics. Among the most exciting finds are four silver ‘ribbon’ arm-rings, a wooden box containing three gold items, and a stunning silver gilt vessel wrapped in textiles, containing a selection of carefully curated artefacts, such as beads, brooches, and bracelets.
Thanks to extensive conservation and cutting-edge research, many of these objects, previously hidden beneath centuries of corrosion, have been carefully cleaned and preserved. Some of the items in the Hoard are unique to Britain and Ireland, having travelled thousands of miles to reach Scotland. To help bring the experience to life, the exhibition will also feature 3D reconstructions and immersive audio-visual displays, allowing visitors to explore these ancient treasures in greater detail.
In a fascinating twist, the South Australian Museum will also showcase two Viking-era brooches from its own collection. Donated by Swedish collector Bertil Gunnarsson-Hagman in the 1940s, the brooches were once used as fashionable accessories by Viking women. These items, made of bronze and decorated with gold and silver, offer a rare glimpse of Viking artistry and will be displayed alongside the Galloway Hoard for the first time in Australia.
Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard will be on display at the South Australian Museum from 8 February to 27 July 2025. Tickets for this world-class exhibition will go on sale in January.
To complement the exhibition, there will be a full program of events, including Friday night openings and a special two-day Vikingfest in late June, supported by the Adelaide Economic Development Agency.
For more information and ticket bookings, visit samuseum.sa.gov.au
