Britain's biggest haul of Viking treasures with hundreds of stunning artefacts of 'global significance' will be displayed in Scotland after £2 million is raised in 6 months

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A collection of Viking Age treasures with 'global significance' has been saved for public ownership after a near £2 million ($2.6 million) fundraising target was met.

National Museums Scotland was given just six months to raise £1.98 million for the Galloway Hoard, or else risk losing the 'unparalleled' set of artefacts to a private buyer.

Donations from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Scottish Government, trusts and the wider public have now helped secure that target.

The 1,100-year-old treasure trove includes silver jewellery and ingots, a gold bird-shaped pin, and a decorated cup imported all the way from Europe or western Asia.

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National Museums Scotland was given just six months to raise £1.98 million for the Galloway Hoard, or else risk losing the 'unparalleled' set of artefacts to a private buyer. Pictured are gold pins from the hoard

A collection of Viking Age objects with 'global significance' has been saved for public ownership after a near £2 million ($2.6 million) fundraising target was met. Pictured are rich Viking Age silver jewellery and ingots, which make up most of the hoard

Dr Gordon Rintoul, director of National Museums Scotland, said: 'I would like to say a personal thank you to everyone who has generously donated to the campaign, without them this incredible achievement would not have been possible.

'Now we look forward to starting the work on conserving and researching the Hoard to unlock its secrets.'

Uncovered by a metal detectorist in Dumfries and Galloway, the collection contains more than 100 gold, silver and other items from the Viking Age.

It was buried at the beginning of the 10th Century, although some pieces date from an earlier period.

The bulk of the find is made up of rich Viking Age silver jewellery and ingots.

It also contains a range of precious metal and jewelled items including a rare gold ingot, a gold bird-shaped pin and a decorated silver-gilt cup of Continental or Byzantine origin.

An enamelled Christian cross was also found as part of the hoard, as well as silk from modern-day Istanbul, silver and crystal.

The cross is engraved with decorations that, experts say, are highly unusual and may represent the four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

A Carolingian vessel was part of the hoard, and some of the buried treasure was found inside the pot.

Someone had wrapped the vessel in fabric before burial and the scan suggests that its contents had also been wrapped in organic matter, possibly leather, before being stored inside it 

National Museums Scotland described the hoard as 'unique' in bringing together such a variety of objects in one discovery.

This situation hints at thus far unknown connections between people across Europe and beyond.

Donations from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Scottish Government, trusts and the wider public have now helped secure that target. Pictured is a set of jewellery from the treasure trove of objects

An enamelled Christian cross was found as part of the hoard, as well as silk from modern-day Istanbul, silver and crystal. The cross is engraved with decorations that, experts say, are highly unusual and may represent the four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

John Glen, UK Government Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism, said: 'The Galloway Hoard is an incredible collection that has given us a deeper understanding of the history of the Viking Age in Scotland.

'As an unparalleled find of global significance, I am thrilled that the National Heritage Memorial Fund has helped save it for the nation.'

Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs added: 'The Galloway Hoard is one of the most important collections ever discovered in Scotland.

The 1,100-year-old treasure trove includes silver jewellery (pictured) and ingots, a gold bird-shaped pin, and a decorated cup imported all the way from Europe or western Asia

The hoard was buried at the beginning of the 10th Century, although some pieces date from an earlier period. Pictured is Minto, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of National Museums and Seona Reid, deputy chair of the National Heritage Memorial Fund

National Museums Scotland described the hoard as 'unique' in bringing together such a variety of objects in one discovery. This situation hints at thus far unknown connections between people across Europe and beyond

'It is important that the hoard is made available for the people of Scotland and our visitors from around the world to see.' 

People who find items of archaeological significance in Scotland are obliged to report it to Treasure Trove.

These are then assessed and museums are invited to put their case forward for allocation.

The Queen's Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer then picks which institution should get it, as long as they can raise its cash value.

People who find items of archaeological significance in Scotland are obliged to report it to Treasure Trove. These are then assessed and museums are invited to put their case forward for allocation. Pictured is a gold bird-shaped pin

The objects were found inside a pot unearthed in 2014. Uncovered by a metal detectorist in Dumfries and Galloway, the collection contains more than 100 gold, silver and other items from the Viking Age. Pictured is a set of jewellery from the find

The Queen's Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer then picks which institution should get it, as long as they can raise its cash value. This money then goes to whoever uncovered the treasure, meaning the Galloway Hoard metal detectorist will receive the £1.98m. Pictured is an assortment of jewellery and ingots from the find

This money then goes to whoever uncovered the treasure, meaning the Galloway Hoard metal detectorist will receive the £1.98m.

If the money was not found by the museum, the collection could potentially have gone back to the finder who could then sell it to a private buyer.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: 'The historical and cultural significance of the unique Galloway Hoard is unquestionable.

'It not only preserves an important archaeological finding but can ensure its enjoyment for future generations.'

If the money was not found by the museum, the collection could potentially have gone back to the finder who could then sell it to a private buyer

The 1,100-year-old treasure trove includes silver jewellery and ingots, a gold bird-shaped pin (held in this image), and a decorated cup imported all the way from Europe or western Asia

The cross found as part of the treasure trove (left) is incredibly rare, experts claim. It may be engraved with decorations (left) that show the four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

The Viking Age hoard was found amongst dozens of silver arm-rings and ingots around two feet below the Earth's surface by an amateur metal detectorist

A Carolingian vessel was part of the hoard, and some of the buried treasure was found inside the pot. Someone had wrapped the vessel in fabric before burial and the scan suggests that its contents had also been wrapped in organic matter, possibly leather, before being stored inside it

The objects were found in a pot unearthed by a metal detectorist in the Scottish county of Dumfries and Galloway in 2014