A collection of Viking Age artefacts, including an elaborately decorated sword, rare jewellery and intricately decorated trading weights, has been discovered on the Isle of Man. Dating to around AD 900, the finds may come from a double burial and include evidence of the island’s earliest known female Viking burial.
Discovered by metal detectorist Daniel Crowe, the collection includes three bronze brooches, a Viking sword, trading weights and scales, a bronze ladle and an axehead. The objects have been formally declared Treasure by the Isle of Man Coroner for Inquests in recognition of their historical and archaeological significance.
The discovery dates to the earlier part of the Viking Age on the Isle of Man, when Scandinavian communities were becoming established. Several of the objects are the first of their kind to be found on the island, offering new insights into Viking settlement, burial traditions and trade across the Irish Sea.
Evidence of an Early Female Viking Burial
Examining the newly discovered Viking Age artefacts, including the sword, bronze brooches and trading weights. Photo courtesy of Manx National Heritage.
Among the most significant finds are two oval bronze brooches decorated with intricate patterns of interlocking animals, a distinctive feature of Viking art. Such brooches were typically worn by women.
Only one other pair has ever been discovered on the Isle of Man. In a remarkable family connection, that pair was found by Daniel’s father, John Crowe, and fellow metal detectorist Craig Evans.
The newly discovered brooches could be around 50 years older than the previously discovered pair, potentially making them evidence of the earliest known female Viking Age burial on the island. A third brooch, originally gilded and decorated with spirals and a glass centre, is the first of its kind discovered on the Isle of Man.
A Decorated Viking Sword and a Possible Double Burial
Fragments of the Viking sword, which may have been deliberately broken as part of a burial ritual. Photo courtesy of Manx National Heritage.
The collection also includes an elaborately decorated sword, the thirteenth Viking sword to be discovered on the Isle of Man. Around two-thirds of the weapon survives, including parts of its hilt. X-ray analysis revealed fine silver inlay and twisted silver wire decorating the hilt. Only two other Viking swords found on the island have comparable decoration.
The sword is broken, probably as part of a Viking burial ritual, although some additional damage occurred after burial.
The presence of jewellery typically associated with women alongside a sword traditionally associated with men raises the possibility that the objects came from a double burial. However, they could also have come from separate graves dating to the same period. The original burial site was disturbed at some point over the past thousand years, making it difficult to establish the precise circumstances.
“This is an extraordinary discovery and one of the most significant groups of Viking Age objects found on the Isle of Man,” says Allison Fox, Curator for Archaeology at Manx National Heritage. “What makes it particularly exciting is the combination of finds, which gives us a rare opportunity to explore the lives of some of the Island’s earliest Scandinavian settlers.
“The brooches are especially important because they appear to represent our earliest known female Viking Age burial. Together with the decorated sword, trading equipment and other objects, they help us build a picture of the people who lived here more than a thousand years ago, how they traded and the connections they maintained across the Viking world.
“Although the original burial site has been disturbed, further research may reveal much more about these objects and the people who owned them”.
Viking Trade and Connections Across the Irish Sea
Decorated lead trading weights used to weigh precious metals and coins during the Viking Age. These are the first of their type discovered on the Isle of Man. Photo courtesy of Manx National Heritage.
The discovery also provides evidence of the commercial and cultural connections that linked the Isle of Man with neighbouring regions during the Viking Age.
Among the finds are decorated lead weights and fragments of bronze balance scales, which would have been used to weigh precious metals and coins during trading. The weights are the first of their type discovered on the island and are the most intricately decorated Viking trading weights found there to date.
One of the weights incorporates a decorative bronze fitting, possibly taken from a small chest or religious object. Its artistic style is typical of Britain and Ireland at the time, providing an example of how Viking settlers reused objects from other cultures.
A bronze ladle, possibly used during feasts or ceremonies, is another type of artefact not previously recorded on the Isle of Man.
Preserving the Viking Treasures
Crowe took particular care not to clean the objects after discovering them, leaving them in their original condition for professional examination. His decision helped preserve archaeological evidence that might otherwise have been lost.
Fellow metal detectorist Rhett Britton assisted with the search, discovering the Viking axehead, part of the balance scales and additional iron objects.
“We are extremely grateful to Daniel Crowe and Rhett Britton for their assistance, and to the landowner for their patience and cooperation,” Fox adds. “Daniel’s decision not to clean the finds was particularly important, allowing us to preserve valuable evidence for further study.
“Manx National Heritage is also extremely grateful to the Radiology Team at Manx Care for their invaluable expertise and support in helping us uncover the secrets of these remarkable Viking Age artefacts.
“Before conservation work began, specialist scans allowed us to look beneath layers of compacted soil, revealing fascinating hidden details that would otherwise have remained unseen. These images provided vital information to guide our conservator through the delicate process of uncovering and preserving the objects. This collaboration is a wonderful example of how modern technology can help us unlock the mysteries of the past.”
The Viking Legacy of the Isle of Man
The Vikings first arrived on the Isle of Man during the ninth century, establishing trading links before settling on the island. Its strategic location in the Irish Sea made it an important centre for maritime trade and Scandinavian settlement.
Archaeological discoveries have revealed numerous aspects of life on the island during the Viking Age, including the burials of both men and women. The earliest graves reflect pagan burial traditions, with the dead buried alongside weapons, jewellery and other possessions.
The influence of the Vikings remains part of Manx identity and culture. The island’s parliament, Tynwald, traces its origins to the Viking Age and is recognised as one of the world’s oldest continuous parliaments.
Further conservation and research on the newly discovered artefacts could reveal more about the people who owned them and the early Scandinavian communities in which they lived.
A selection of the newly declared Treasure has gone on public display in the Viking Gallery at the Manx Museum in Douglas.
A collection of Viking Age artefacts, including an elaborately decorated sword, rare jewellery and intricately decorated trading weights, has been discovered on the Isle of Man. Dating to around AD 900, the finds may come from a double burial and include evidence of the island’s earliest known female Viking burial.
Discovered by metal detectorist Daniel Crowe, the collection includes three bronze brooches, a Viking sword, trading weights and scales, a bronze ladle and an axehead. The objects have been formally declared Treasure by the Isle of Man Coroner for Inquests in recognition of their historical and archaeological significance.
The discovery dates to the earlier part of the Viking Age on the Isle of Man, when Scandinavian communities were becoming established. Several of the objects are the first of their kind to be found on the island, offering new insights into Viking settlement, burial traditions and trade across the Irish Sea.
Evidence of an Early Female Viking Burial
Among the most significant finds are two oval bronze brooches decorated with intricate patterns of interlocking animals, a distinctive feature of Viking art. Such brooches were typically worn by women.
Only one other pair has ever been discovered on the Isle of Man. In a remarkable family connection, that pair was found by Daniel’s father, John Crowe, and fellow metal detectorist Craig Evans.
The newly discovered brooches could be around 50 years older than the previously discovered pair, potentially making them evidence of the earliest known female Viking Age burial on the island. A third brooch, originally gilded and decorated with spirals and a glass centre, is the first of its kind discovered on the Isle of Man.
A Decorated Viking Sword and a Possible Double Burial
The collection also includes an elaborately decorated sword, the thirteenth Viking sword to be discovered on the Isle of Man. Around two-thirds of the weapon survives, including parts of its hilt. X-ray analysis revealed fine silver inlay and twisted silver wire decorating the hilt. Only two other Viking swords found on the island have comparable decoration.
The sword is broken, probably as part of a Viking burial ritual, although some additional damage occurred after burial.
The presence of jewellery typically associated with women alongside a sword traditionally associated with men raises the possibility that the objects came from a double burial. However, they could also have come from separate graves dating to the same period. The original burial site was disturbed at some point over the past thousand years, making it difficult to establish the precise circumstances.
“This is an extraordinary discovery and one of the most significant groups of Viking Age objects found on the Isle of Man,” says Allison Fox, Curator for Archaeology at Manx National Heritage. “What makes it particularly exciting is the combination of finds, which gives us a rare opportunity to explore the lives of some of the Island’s earliest Scandinavian settlers.
“The brooches are especially important because they appear to represent our earliest known female Viking Age burial. Together with the decorated sword, trading equipment and other objects, they help us build a picture of the people who lived here more than a thousand years ago, how they traded and the connections they maintained across the Viking world.
“Although the original burial site has been disturbed, further research may reveal much more about these objects and the people who owned them”.
Viking Trade and Connections Across the Irish Sea
The discovery also provides evidence of the commercial and cultural connections that linked the Isle of Man with neighbouring regions during the Viking Age.
Among the finds are decorated lead weights and fragments of bronze balance scales, which would have been used to weigh precious metals and coins during trading. The weights are the first of their type discovered on the island and are the most intricately decorated Viking trading weights found there to date.
One of the weights incorporates a decorative bronze fitting, possibly taken from a small chest or religious object. Its artistic style is typical of Britain and Ireland at the time, providing an example of how Viking settlers reused objects from other cultures.
A bronze ladle, possibly used during feasts or ceremonies, is another type of artefact not previously recorded on the Isle of Man.
Preserving the Viking Treasures
Crowe took particular care not to clean the objects after discovering them, leaving them in their original condition for professional examination. His decision helped preserve archaeological evidence that might otherwise have been lost.
Fellow metal detectorist Rhett Britton assisted with the search, discovering the Viking axehead, part of the balance scales and additional iron objects.
“We are extremely grateful to Daniel Crowe and Rhett Britton for their assistance, and to the landowner for their patience and cooperation,” Fox adds. “Daniel’s decision not to clean the finds was particularly important, allowing us to preserve valuable evidence for further study.
“Manx National Heritage is also extremely grateful to the Radiology Team at Manx Care for their invaluable expertise and support in helping us uncover the secrets of these remarkable Viking Age artefacts.
“Before conservation work began, specialist scans allowed us to look beneath layers of compacted soil, revealing fascinating hidden details that would otherwise have remained unseen. These images provided vital information to guide our conservator through the delicate process of uncovering and preserving the objects. This collaboration is a wonderful example of how modern technology can help us unlock the mysteries of the past.”
The Viking Legacy of the Isle of Man
The Vikings first arrived on the Isle of Man during the ninth century, establishing trading links before settling on the island. Its strategic location in the Irish Sea made it an important centre for maritime trade and Scandinavian settlement.
Archaeological discoveries have revealed numerous aspects of life on the island during the Viking Age, including the burials of both men and women. The earliest graves reflect pagan burial traditions, with the dead buried alongside weapons, jewellery and other possessions.
The influence of the Vikings remains part of Manx identity and culture. The island’s parliament, Tynwald, traces its origins to the Viking Age and is recognised as one of the world’s oldest continuous parliaments.
Further conservation and research on the newly discovered artefacts could reveal more about the people who owned them and the early Scandinavian communities in which they lived.
A selection of the newly declared Treasure has gone on public display in the Viking Gallery at the Manx Museum in Douglas.
Subscribe to Medievalverse
Related Posts