Viking treasure hunter gets $2.5 million reward

A metal detectorist in Britain has received a huge reward after discovering a trove of gold and silver artifacts from the 10th century Vikings.

The cross in the Viking treasure from the 10th century. Photo: Independent

Derek McLennan, a metal detectorist in England, has just been rewarded 2.5 million USD for discovering the largest treasure trove of Vikings ever, Independent reported on May 14.

GrandfatherMcLennanA 10th-century treasure trove was discovered in southwest Scotland in 2014. The treasure trove included 100 objects including silver bracelets, brooches, a gold ring, a Christian cross and a gold pin with a carved bird on the top.

Most of the artifacts McLennan found were made of silver, but there were also textiles and a series of precious metal jewelry that experts said were "outstanding and special", including a gold bar, beads, crystal and a silver cup believed to be from the Byzantine Empire.

A golden bird-shaped pin in the treasure. Photo: Reuters

The National Museum of Scotland said the treasure was "unique" because it contained artefacts that revealed previously unknown links between people in 10th-century Europe.

According to VNE