RESEARCH into a £2 million Viking-age hoard found in a field has uncovered the name of one of its original owners on a silver arm ring. An expert examining Anglo-Saxon runic inscriptions on arm rings in the hoard found the name “Ecgbeorht”, which would be Egbert in its modern form.

The discovery suggests the treasure, known as the Galloway Hoard, may have been left by people who considered themselves part of the English-speaking world rather than Scandinavians.

Metal detectorist Derek McLennan uncovered the 10th-century treasure trove, which includes silver bracelets and brooches, a gold ring, an enamelled Christian cross and a bird-shaped gold pin, in a field in Dumfries and Galloway in 2014.

National Museums Scotland raised £1.98m to acquire the array of more than 100 items for the nation.

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