from Skaill, Sandwick, Orkney

Ingots

These silver ingots and fragments of ingots were found at Skaill at Sandwick in Orkney. They are part of the largest Viking Age silver hoard found in Scotland, buried between 950 and 970.

Most of the ingots have nicks - small cuts made to test the purity of the silver during the circulation. Analysis has shown, however, that they were of good quality silver.

Ingots had two main purposes in the Viking Age: for storing metal for a craftsman, and as a convenient form for use in economic transactions. When found in hoards with other objects and hacksilver, the second function is more likely.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-190-004-109-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.IL 57
Date:	Deposited between 950 and 970
Material:	Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver
Dimensions:
What:	Ingot Ingot Ingot Ingot Ingot Ingot Ingot
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill Scotland, Orkney, Sandwick, Skaill
Event:
Description:	Silver ingot from Skaill Silver ingot from Skaill Silver ingot from Skaill Silver ingot from Skaill Silver ingot from Skaill Silver ingot from Skaill Silver ingot from Skaill
References:	Graham-Campbell, James. The Viking-age gold and silver of Scotland (AD 850-1100), 1995, pp 40, 77, 117-8.
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