Textiles of the Galloway Hoard

Abstract

• Join Dr Susanna Harris and Dr Alexandra Makin, as they call in to Kirkcudbright Galleries to tell us all about the new, fascinating discoveries from the Galloway Hoard. Buried at the beginning of the 10th century in Dumfries and Galloway, the Hoard lay undisturbed for a thousand years before being discovered by a metal detectorist in September 2014. This incredible find brings together the richest collection of rare and unique Viking-age objects ever found in Britain or Ireland. “Unwrapping the Galloway Hoard” is a 3-year Arts and Humanities Research Council project in partnership with the University of Glasgow that aims to challenge current understanding of the process of hoarding through an interdisciplinary study of the Galloway Hoard. Some of the rare, and unusual finds are preserved textiles and leather – which were used to wrap the objects, creating multiple caches and bundles within the hoard. Susanna and Alexandra will be telling us all about their work and the new and exciting discoveries they have made. Dr Susanna Harris is the co-investigator of “Unwrapping the Galloway Hoard” she is also a Lecturer in Archaeology at the School of Humanities, University of Glasgow. Susanna’s research focuses on the analysis of archaeological material culture. She specialises in textiles, leather and basketry using scientific, theoretical and experimental approaches. Dr Alexandra Makin is a post-doctoral Research Associate of “Unwrapping the Galloway Hoard. Alexandra is a professional embroiderer and textile archaeologist specialising in the early medieval period. She is interested in processes of making and the place and meaning of embroidery and textiles within early medieval material culture. Her research is interdisciplinary involving scientific, theoretical, experimental, historical and art historical approaches.