Discovery of a Historic Relic
A remarkable wooden reliquary box, discovered in 1919 during renovations at St Magnus Cathedral, has been confirmed to date back to the same period as the revered Orkney saint, St Magnus. This significant finding, examined by researchers at the UHI Archaeology Institute, provides compelling evidence linking the box and its contents to the 12th-century earl.
Carbon Dating Confirms Authenticity
The reliquary, crafted from Scots pine, was radiocarbon dated to between 1034 and 1168 AD, aligning closely with the period of St Magnus’ death. Inside the box, human remains were found, including a skull bearing clear signs of trauma—leading historians to believe they may belong to the saint, who was murdered at Easter in either 1116, 1117, or 1118.
While there had been speculation that the relics might have been introduced later for medieval pilgrim trade purposes, the recent analysis suggests otherwise. The dating results indicate the box likely played a crucial role in safeguarding the relics from the time they were moved into the cathedral around 1150 AD, where they remained hidden until their rediscovery in the early 20th century.
The Role of the Reliquary in St Magnus’ Legacy
The research was led by Jenny Murray, a curator at Shetland Museum and Archives, as part of her PhD examining the legacy of Magnus Erlendsson. Expanding on the work of Dr. Sarah Jane Gibbon, Murray has been documenting sites and artifacts connected to St Magnus' veneration. She was particularly drawn to the reliquary, which is believed to have housed the saint’s relics when they were transferred to St Magnus Cathedral.
According to the Orkneyinga Saga, Magnus’ remains were exhumed approximately two decades after his death, cleansed, and placed in a reliquary above the altar in Christchurch, Birsay. However, the saga recounts that Magnus appeared in a dream, expressing his wish to be reinterred in Kirkwall. Consequently, Bishop William led a grand procession eastward, moving the relics first to the small church of St Olaf, before they were later transferred to the newly built cathedral in Magnus' honor around 1150.
A Rare and Important Artifact
Measuring 74.5 cm in length, 25.7 cm in width, and 17.6 cm in height, the reliquary is one of Scotland’s oldest surviving wooden artifacts. Initially identified as Scots pine in 1926, this was confirmed by Associate Professor Scott Timpany of the UHI Archaeology Institute, who also prepared the wood sample for carbon dating. The analysis provides a crucial link between the relics and their historical origins.
Although the human remains were reinterred within a pillar of the cathedral, the reliquary box is now displayed at Orkney Museum in Kirkwall, allowing visitors to glimpse a tangible connection to the region’s rich medieval history.
This discovery not only deepens our understanding of St Magnus’ enduring legacy but also underscores the role of material culture in preserving historical narratives.
