One of the biggest troves of Viking artifacts in modern history has been discovered in southwest Scotland by an amateur treasure hunter.

Derek McLennan, a 47-year-old retired businessman, made the discovery last month using a metal detector. The haul of more than 100 objects included armbands, gold rings and an Early Medieval cross. The artifacts have been dated to the ninth century and earlier, and are believed to be worth more than $1 million.

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Image of some of the silver in the Viking hoard. Ingots, arm rings, gold ring, and Early Medieval cross. Image: Treasure Troves Scotland

McLennan said he did not realize the significance of his discovery at first.

"I unearthed the first piece; initially I didn't understand what I had found because I thought it was a silver spoon and then I turned it over and wiped my thumb across it and I saw the saltire-type of design and knew instantly it was Viking," he said. "Then my senses exploded, I went into shock, endorphins flooded my system and away I went stumbling towards my colleagues, waving it in the air."

McLennan was so emotional after his discovery, according to reports, his wife thought he had been in a car accident when he called to tell her the news.

One of the discovered artifacts. Image: Treasure Troves Scotland

Shortly after, archaeologists arrived at the field to begin a major excavation. Since taking over, they have found even more artifacts that may be more valuable than the initial findings.

"This is a hugely significant find — nothing like this has been found in Scotland before in terms of the range of material this hoard represents," said Stuart Campbell, head of the Treasure Trove Unit at National Museums Scotland. "There's material from Ireland, from Scandinavia, from various places in central Europe and perhaps ranging over a couple of centuries, so this has taken some effort for individuals to collect together."

Scottish law requires that McLennan split any proceeds of the finding with the owner of the land and the Church of Scotland. Fiona Hyslop, the culture secretary of Scotland, says the finding is a significant step in learning more about the country's history.

"It’s clear that these artifacts are of great value in themselves, but their greatest value will be in what they can contribute to our understanding of life in early medieval Scotland, and what they tell us about the interaction between the different peoples in these islands at that time. The Dumfries hoard opens a fascinating window on a formative period in the story of Scotland.”