Meet the man who discovered Viking treasure while metal detecting on the Isle of Man

A metal detectorist whose hobby began by watching his father bring home historical finds has unearthed one of the most significant collections of Viking treasure discovered on the Isle of Man.

Daniel Crowe discovered a remarkable group of Viking Age artefacts in February, including a decorated sword, rare women's jewellery and previously unseen trading weights.

The collection, which dates back more than 1,100 years, is believed to have come from a double Viking burial dating to around AD900.

It has now been formally declared Treasure by the Coroner for Inquests and will go on public display at the Manx Museum from Wednesday, November 11.

But for Mr Crowe, the discovery was the result of years of interest in a hobby he first picked up from his dad, John.

He said: ‘I got interested because my dad was doing metal detecting and bringing stuff home, and I started getting interested in what he was bringing home.

‘So I asked him to teach me, and it's just gone from there.’

He later joined the Manx Metal Detecting Society, where he said experienced members had been helpful in developing his knowledge.

Despite the significance of the collection, Mr Crowe explained that finding something special is far from straightforward.

Different materials produce different tones on a metal detector, while the Isle of Man's mineral-rich ground can make signals difficult to interpret.

‘You just don't know what's going to come up,’ he said.

When he first spotted the distinctive shapes and raised details of the oval brooches emerging from the ground, however, he began to recognise them.

He recalled his father having discovered a similar pair of Viking brooches alongside fellow detectorist Craig Evans.

‘I thought I've seen these somewhere before. My dad found them back in, I can't remember what year it was now.

‘I thought, I know what they are now.’

Mr Crowe then contacted Manx National Heritage, with curator of archaeology Allison Fox visiting the site to carry out an initial excavation before taking the objects away for examination and conservation.

The discovery includes three bronze brooches, a Viking sword, trading weights and scales, a bronze ladle and an axehead.

Asked which was his favourite, Mr Crowe had little hesitation in choosing the sword.

‘Obviously, it's got to be the sword,’ he said. ‘When you're younger, Viking swords are the one you want, you know what I mean?’

He said the process of having the objects declared Treasure and prepared for display had been lengthy, involving cleaning, research and considerable paperwork.

He added that keeping the discovery to himself while the work was carried out had also been difficult.

Mr Crowe has previously discovered Viking artefacts, gaming pieces and coins, but admitted this find was on another level.

He has returned to the field since February, although has yet to uncover anything else of comparable significance.

‘The field changes every year when it gets ploughed and brings other stuff up,’ he said.

Manx National Heritage operates a system recognising significant finds made by metal detectorists, including potential rewards for finders.

Despite the excitement of his discovery, Mr Crowe said the appeal of metal detecting was not simply about finding valuable objects.

His advice to anyone considering taking up the hobby was to research the equipment, watch instructional videos and get out there.

‘It's amazing, it’s peace and quiet,’ he said.