A collection of Viking Age finds has been declared treasure by the Isle of Man Coroner Jayne Hughes.

First discovered in December 2018 by metal detectorists John Crowe and Craig Evans, the finds include two highly decorated oval brooches, made from bronze with silver wire decoration and most likely gilded, dating to around AD 900-950.

The brooches would have been worn by a woman of some status.

Allison Fox, curator of archaeology for Manx National Heritage, said: ’The Isle of Man has a rich Viking heritage and the Manx National Collections reflect this. But, this type of brooch, worn by Scandinavian women in the Viking Age and usually found in graves, has been missing so far.

’Oval brooches are particularly common in the Viking homelands, and are seen almost as national dress, showing that the wearer was most likely of Scandinavian origin.

’The absence of this type of brooch from the Island before now has led to theories that it was only the men from Scandinavia that settled on the Isle of Man in the early Viking Age.

’In addition to the brooches, there was also one decorated glass bead made in Ireland and a belt with bronze fittings, most likely made in the Irish Sea area, so although proud of her Scandinavian roots, this particular pagan lady also wore local fashions.’

As artefacts like this are often found in graves, MNH commissioned a targeted archaeological excavation of the find site to establish whether or not there were any other remains present.

Archaeologists from York Archaeological Trust conducted a small excavation on site but no grave was found.

MNH also thanked the finders and the landowner for ’their assistance and support throughout the process’.

When finds of archaeological artefacts are made on the Isle of Man there is a legal requirement to report them to Manx National Heritage. If the find is declared to be treasure, a financial reward is usually paid to the finder. and landowner.