A collection of Viking Age grave goods dating to around AD 900 has been discovered on the Isle of Man, including an elaborately decorated sword, rare female jewellery and trading equipment.
The objects were discovered by metal detectorist Daniel Crowe and have now been formally declared Treasure by the Isle of Man Coroner for Inquests.
According to Manx National Heritage, the assemblage may represent a double burial containing a man and woman, although disturbance to the original burial site means that separate graves dating to the same period cannot be ruled out.
The collection includes three bronze brooches, a Viking sword, decorated trading weights, fragments of balance scales, a bronze ladle and an axehead.
Rare female Viking burial
Among the most significant objects are two oval bronze brooches decorated with interlocking animal designs characteristic of Viking art.
Oval brooches were typically associated with female dress, and only one other pair has previously been discovered on the Isle of Man.
The newly discovered examples could be around 50 years older, potentially making the burial the earliest known female Viking Age grave identified on the Island.
A third brooch is also unusual. Originally gilded and decorated with spiral designs surrounding a glass centre, it is the first example of its type recorded on the Isle of Man.
Allison Fox, Curator for Archaeology at Manx National Heritage, said: “This is an extraordinary discovery and one of the most significant groups of Viking Age objects found on the Isle of Man.”
“The brooches are especially important because they appear to represent our earliest known female Viking Age burial.”
Decorated Viking sword
The assemblage also contains an elaborately decorated sword, the thirteenth Viking sword discovered on the Isle of Man.
Around two-thirds of the weapon survives, including sections of the hilt decorated with fine silver inlay.
X-ray examination also revealed twisted silver wire concealed beneath layers of compacted material.
Only two other Viking swords from the Island are known to have comparable decoration.
The weapon was broken, probably as part of the burial rite, although some additional damage occurred after it had been deposited.
The presence of female-associated jewellery alongside a sword traditionally associated with a male burial has led archaeologists to consider whether two people were originally buried at the site.
However, because the burial was disturbed at some point during the past millennium, the relationship between the objects can no longer be reconstructed with certainty.
Evidence of Viking trade
Decorated lead weights and fragments of bronze balance scales provide another indication of the activities of the people associated with the burial.
Such equipment was used for weighing precious metals and coins during transactions.
According to Manx National Heritage, the decorated weights are the first examples of their type discovered on the Isle of Man.
One incorporates a decorative bronze fitting that may originally have belonged to a small chest or religious object.
Its artistic style is associated with Britain and Ireland during the period, suggesting that an existing object was repurposed as part of the Viking trading equipment.
A bronze ladle, possibly connected with feasting or ceremonial activity, represents another type of object not previously recorded on the Island.
Preserved for archaeological study
Crowe left the objects uncleaned after their discovery, allowing archaeological material adhering to their surfaces to be preserved for specialist examination.
Fellow metal detectorist Rhett Britton assisted with the investigation and discovered the axehead, part of the balance scales and additional iron objects.
Before conservation began, the artefacts were examined using specialist scans carried out with support from the Radiology Team at Manx Care.
The imaging allowed researchers to examine features concealed beneath compacted soil and corrosion, including details of the sword’s decoration, while helping conservators determine how the objects should be treated.
“Daniel’s decision not to clean the finds was particularly important, allowing us to preserve valuable evidence for further study,” Fox said.
Early Scandinavian settlement on the Isle of Man
The assemblage dates to around AD 900, placing it within the earlier period of Scandinavian settlement on the Isle of Man.
Its combination of jewellery, weaponry and trading equipment provides researchers with an opportunity to investigate burial practices and connections maintained by the Island’s Viking Age communities.
The original context nevertheless remains uncertain. Archaeologists cannot yet determine whether the objects belonged to two individuals buried together or originated from separate contemporary graves disturbed at a later date.
Further conservation and analysis may reveal additional evidence about the objects and the people with whom they were buried.
A selection of the newly declared Treasure went on display in the Viking Gallery at the Manx Museum from 11 November 2026.
Sources : Manx National Heritage
