“Unveiling the Lost Legacy: How a 9th-Century Anglo-Saxon Cross Was Brought Back from the Brink”
In the treasure-hunting world, every so often, a find pops up that stirs the pot — and boy, does this one take the cake! Imagine unearthing a stunning piece of history, a 1,000-year-old Anglo-Saxon cross, no less, from the depths of a Scottish field! Treasure hunter Derek McLennan just happened to stumble upon it back in 2014, and let me tell you, it’s not your average trinket. This intricate artifact is one of only two known examples from the ninth century, making it a true gem—well, except this is literally high art crafted in gold and silver! Allow me to pique your curiosity: what kind of stories could this ornate piece tell if it could talk? From possibly being worn by a high-ranking cleric or noble to being buried with utmost care, the cross has seen a lot in its quiet 1,000 years—talk about a wild life! For all those eager to dive deeper into this remarkable tale of rediscovery and restoration, stick around. You won’t want to miss a beat! LEARN MORE.
“Anglo-Saxon crosses of this kind are exceptionally rare, and only one other — much less elaborate — is known from the ninth century.”
National Museums ScotlandThe cross before (left) and after (right) restoration work began on it in 2017.
In 2014, treasure hunter Derek McLennan made the discovery of a lifetime. Noticing a bit of silver protruding from the dirt in a Scottish field, he and two friends began to dig. What they found was one of the largest troves of Viking-era artifacts in the U.K.’s history — and it included a 1,000-year-old cross that has just now been restored to its former glory.
The artifact is one of more than 100 gold and silver objects that were found that day and has since been acquired and conserved by National Museums Scotland. The historic haul is now known as the Galloway Hoard.
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