Viking age treasures to go on display in Melbourne for the first time
Tickets are now on sale to Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard arriving at Melbourne Museum on August 29, 2025
The Galloway Hoard, one of the most significant Viking Age discoveries and archaeological finds of this century from the United Kingdom will go on display from August 29 at Melbourne Museum.
Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard will reveal over 100 rare and unique Viking Age objects ever found in Britain or Ireland.
Discovered in 2014 southwest Scotland, the Hoard was buried around AD900 when the region was experiencing a time of upheaval and flux.
Found in four distinct parcels, the Hoard contains over 5kg of silver bullion, gold, rock crystals and textiles, with many of the objects never seen in Britain and Ireland before. The rich collection of treasures offers a tantalising glimpse into the people, culture, trade and political structures of early medieval Europe and connections with the wider world.
Decoding the secrets of the Galloway Hoard has been led by a team of experts from National Museums Scotland with conservation work, including painstaking cleaning, combined with cutting-edge research. New insights and discoveries into the mysteries of the Galloway Hoard are as recent as February 2025, when a new translation of a runic inscription found on an 1,100-year-old arm ring shed new light on the mystery of who owned and buried the Hoard.
Reflecting on the significance of the Galloway Hoard, Lynley Crosswell, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Museums Victoria said: ‘We are delighted to present one of the most significant European archeological discoveries of the century. This is a rare opportunity for our visitors to experience up close a time capsule of 1,000-year-old objects from the Viking Age - a time in history that changed culture, politics and trade.’
Dr Martin Goldberg, Principal Curator, Medieval Archaeology & History, National Museums Scotland said: ‘The Galloway Hoard has repeatedly drawn international attention since its discovery and we look forward enormously to bringing it to Melbourne. The exhibition contains a spectacular and varied selection of material, with intricate detail revealed through extensive conservation work. It also showcases the results of nearly a decade’s worth of dedicated research which has enabled us to understand and reveal so much more about the Galloway Hoard and its international medieval context.’
Minister for Creative Industries, Colin Brooks said: ‘Melbourne Museum will once again transport us back in time and across the world with this rare collection of Viking Age treasures. This exhibition adds another exciting drawcard to the museum's offering this year and is set to attract visitors from near and far.’
To celebrate the exhibition opening at Melbourne Museum, visitors have the exclusive chance to hear Dr Martin Goldberg share unique insights into the Galloway Hoard’s historical and archaeological significance during a special curator lecture on the opening
night, followed by an exhibition viewing on Friday 29 August. Dr Goldberg will also host a series of pop-up talks on Saturday, 30 August and Sunday, 31 August, discussing the research that uncovered new discoveries and highlighting objects from the Hoard that reveal stories about the people, culture and trade of the Viking Age.
Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard first opened at the National Museums Scotland in Edinburgh in 2021. Following its debut, the exhibition toured Scotland in 2021-2022, stopping at Kirkcudbright Galleries and Aberdeen Art Gallery, where it received record visitor numbers.
Tickets are now on sale for Treasures of the Viking Age, the Galloway Hoard online at Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard.
Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard
Open: Friday 29 August 2025 – Monday 26 January 2026
Location: Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street Carlton
Tickets: On sale at Melbourne Museum and online here
Adult $30, Senior $24, Concession $14, Education $9, Children aged 16 and under free. Ticket prices include general admission to Melbourne Museum.
Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard programming
Treasures of the Viking Age Curator Lecture
Friday 29 August 2025 | 6pm-9pm | $35-$45, bookings essential, ticket includes entry to exhibition
Join international guest Dr Martin Goldberg, Principal Curator of Medieval Archaeology & History at National Museums Scotland, as he explores the significance of the Galloway Hoard.
Dr. Goldberg examines the hoard’s precious objects, the excavation process and over a decade of research that has deepened our understanding of this remarkable discovery. Expanding on one of the most significant Viking-age hoards ever found in the British Isles, this talk provides unique insights into its historical and archaeological importance.
Opening Weekend Curator Pop-up Talks
Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August | Various times | Free with exhibition entry
Dr Martin Goldberg, Principal Curator of Medieval Archaeology & History at National Museums Scotland, leads a series of pop-up talks across the opening weekend of Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard
New Discoveries
10am - 10.15am
Uncover the latest findings from the Galloway Hoard, including a newly deciphered inscription that is changing what we know about this remarkable Viking Age treasure. Learn how technologies are helping researchers reveal the hoard’s mysteries and unlock the stories behind these ancient artefacts.
Women and the Hoard
11am - 11.15am
What can the hoard tell us about the lives of Viking Age women? Take a closer look at objects believed to have belonged to or been used by women, from finely worked brooches to personal adornments. Learn more about how these items shed light on gender, status and daily life during this fascinating period.
Global Connections
1pm – 1.15pm
Silk from Central Asia to metalwork with Irish design - explore how the Galloway Hoard reflects a world connected through trade and travel. This talk highlights international objects found in the hoard and the surprising journeys they took, offering a glimpse into the far-reaching networks during the Viking Age.
Background Information
The Galloway Hoard was acquired by National Museums Scotland in 2017 with the support of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund and the Scottish Government as well as a major public fundraising campaign. Since then, it has been undergoing extensive conservation and research at the National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh. Ongoing research is supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) who awarded £1m for the three-year research project Unwrapping the Galloway Hoard, led by National Museums Scotland in partnership with the University of Glasgow from 2021-2024. The project has also seen collaboration with experts from across the UK and Ireland, including The British Museum, Oxford University, University of Wales (Trinity St David) St Andrews University, and University College Cork.
About National Museums Scotland
National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in the UK and Europe and it looks after collections of national and international importance. The organisation provides loans, partnerships, research and training in Scotland and internationally. Our individual museums are the National Museum of Scotland, the National Museum of Flight, the National Museum of Rural Life and the National War Museum. The National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh houses conservation and research facilities as well as collections not currently on display.
Available for interviews:
Tim Rolfe, Director, Exhibitions and Audience Experiences, Museums Victoria
