Evidence of Vikings discovered in Furness, Cumbria

A Viking hoard of silver coins and jewellery, uncovered in the Cumbrian countryside has gone on display for the first time at the Dock Museum, Barrow-in-Furness.

The hoard was discovered on land owned by Ettingshall based company Tarmac, adjacent to their quarry in Stainton, Barrow-in-Furness.

The artefacts are very important for the locality as Viking artefacts have never been found in the area before and this confirms the presence of Vikings. The artefacts are 1000 years old and worth £50,000.

This sum is being shared between the finders and the landowners – Tarmac.

Jonathan Garbutt, Tarmac’s estates manager, said: "As responsible operators we are committed to protecting the environment in which we work. As a result of this find being on Tarmac land we are fortunate to be in the position to receive a £25,000 reward.

“We wanted to help the Dock Museum preserve and display the artefacts and keep the hoard in the local area so have donated £5,000 of this reward to help them with their fundraising. Once we receive the remaining £20,000 we will donate that money to community projects in close proximity to Stainton Quarry".

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16 May 2012