October Lecture: 'Fragile treasures: textiles of the Galloway Hoard'

This will be a hybrid event which will take place both in Augustine United Church and online. Please keep an eye on the Society website, e-newsletters and your email inbox for the latest news and further information on Society events.

Lecture will be presented by Dr Susanna Harris PhD FSAScot, University of Glasgow.

The Galloway Hoard is an assemblage of Viking Age objects that were buried in southwest Scotland around 900 CE. With quantities of silver and other materials, the hoard is large, complex and valuable. Remarkably, wrapping and covering the metal objects are preserved textiles, leather and braids that bundle, connect and contain the metal, glass and rock crystal items. This lecture presents the team’s analysis of the hoard’s fabrics and considers the significance of these rare materials for understanding this extraordinary assemblage.

Immediately after the lecture there will be a drinks reception.

Lecturer Details

Dr Susanna Harris is Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Glasgow. A specialist in archaeological textiles, her aim is to raise the profile of textile evidence to a level comparable with their social importance, rather than with their rare survival. Harris has published widely on ancient textiles. She recently led the fibre and fabric analysis of Must Farm, Bronze Age pile-dwelling settlement and is working with National Museums Scotland on the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funded project, ‘Unwrapping the Galloway Hoard’.

House Rules

The Society has a zero-tolerance policy on harassment and bullying.

All attendees are requested to act with respect to one another during this hybrid event.

Anyone making comments which we believe to be inappropriate (e.g. offensive or abusive) will be removed from the event immediately. Equivalent procedures (e.g. with regard to spam) will apply online.

Accessibility

The main entrance to the church is up four steps with a handrail.

Step free access is available via a door to the right of the building - please ring the bell for attention. Please note there is a tight turn in this passageway.

A standard accessible toilet is available on the ground floor and lower level (accessible via lift).

The venue (AUC sanctuary) has a hearing loop included.

Assistance dogs are allowed inside the venue.

If attending via Zoom, captions are included.

You can find further information on Accessibility here.

Cover image: Textiles preserved on the lid of the silver vessel in the Galloway Hoard © National Museum of Scotland

Host or Publisher Society of Antiquaries of Scotland