During digs in Nördlingen, Bavaria, Germany, archaeologists came across a bronze sword over 3,000 years old.
The Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Monuments (Blfd) sent a press release on Wednesday announcing the finding.
Along with the bones of a man, woman, and kid, the sword was discovered in a cache of grave goods and weapons. It is yet unknown what kind of connection the individuals may have had.
The entire hilt of this octagonal sword is fashioned of bronze. Because the handle is cast over the blade (a process known as overlay casting), making octagonal swords is difficult. A hallmark and an inlay are used to create the decoration. While there are two actual rivets, there is just an implied third pair. It can be considered a genuine weapon, notwithstanding the manufacturing effort and the absence of damage. The blade’s balance is primarily slashing since the center of gravity is in the front portion.
Photo: Dr. Woidich
Investigations are currently being done to determine whether the sword was made in Bavaria or imported. For these kinds of octagonal swords, there were three major distribution hubs throughout the bronze age: one in Southern Germany, the other two in Northern Germany, and Denmark.
While some of the octagonal swords in the North may be genuine imports or the creation of “wandering craftsmen,” others may be copies of South German designs, according to a comparison of the casting techniques and artwork.
Photo: Dr. Woidich
According to Mathias Pfeil, chairman of the Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Monuments: “The sword and the burial still have to be examined so that our archaeologists can classify this find more precisely. But it can already be said: the condition is exceptional! A find like this is very rare!”
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