THE WATLINGTON VIKING HOARD

The hoard was buried near Watlington around the end of the 870s, in the time of the "Last Kingdom".

This was when the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex were fighting for their survival from the threat of the Vikings, which was to lead to the unification of England. Archaeologists have called the hoard a "nationally significant find".

The hoard was discovered by 60-year-old metal detectorist James Mather.

He said: "I hope these amazing artefacts can be displayed by a local museum to be enjoyed by generations to come."

The find in October was lifted in a block of soil and brought to the British Museum, where it was excavated and studied by experts from the British Museum in London and the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.

The hoard consists of 186 coins - some fragmentary - and includes rarities from the reign of King Alfred "the Great" of Wessex, who reigned from 871 to 899, and King Ceolwulf II, who reigned in Mercia from 874 to 79.

Seven items of jewellery and 15 ingots were also found.

To read the complete article, see:
Watlington 'rare' Viking hoard found by metal detectorist (www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-35061303)

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