Hobby archaeologists in northern England have found a Viking treasure possibly worth as much as 1 million pounds (2.05 million dollars), reports said Thursday, according to dpa. The find was one of the most important ones in Britain in 150 years, experts at the British Museum in London said. Father and son David and Andrew Whelan found the valuable treasure - hundreds of coins and other items in a silver container - by accident in the North Yorkshire district of Harrogate in the north of England. The mediaeval pieces date back to the 10th century and, according to the museum, originated in Afghanistan, Russia, Scandinavia and Ireland. The silver container might originate from Germany or France, it was said. The treasure was buried around 927 AD - presumably to protect it - and could give important information on the history of England. The two amateur treasure-hunters from the city of Leeds were thrilled. "We've been metal-detecting for about five years," they told the BBC. They had been "astonished" when they saw the container's contents.
