From 15th February visit the Museum of Lancashire in Preston and find out about one of the largest silver hoards ever found.
On the outskirts of Preston city centre the Museum of Lancashire hosts The Silverdale Hoard: The Story So Far Exhibition. A fascinating look at a major collection of Viking silver buried for over 1,000 years.
Known as the Silverdale Hoard, the collection includes more than 200 items dated from around 900 AD. The fourth largest Viking silver hoard that has been found in the country so far.
The collection was bought by Lancashire Museums Service with the assistance of grants of Ā£45,000 from theĀ National Heritage Memorial FundĀ and Ā£33,000 from theĀ National Art Fund and had been previously displayed in Lancaster City Museum.Ā
Discovered by metal detectorist Darren Webster, after 20 minutes of detecting in a field that he had previously searched several times before without finding anything, the hoard is very similar to the much largerĀ Cuerdale Hoard, found in 1840 near to Preston.
According to Webster, “the minute I found (the silver) I knew what it was or had a very good idea what it was.” He realised immediately that it was “more than likely Viking.”
Containing coins, rings, ingots and ‘hacksilver’ the hoard really does provide a fascinating glimpse into the history of the Vikings in Lancashire.
The temporary exhibition has been supported by the Art Fund and The Headley Trust. The Museum will be featuring a full programme of events in 2014 linked to the exhibition.
Housed in the former Quarter Sessions House, one of Preston’s oldest buildings,Ā the Museum of Lancashire is the gateway to more than 2000 years of Lancashire’s history.Ā
No tickets required for this event. Free admission.
15 February to 7 December 2014
Museum of Lancashire is open Tuesday-Saturday 10.30am – 5pm and Sunday 12 noon – 5pm
Museum of Lancashire
Stanley Street
Preston
PR1 4YP
Tel: 01772 534 075