Archaeologists have found in Germany a well-preserved 3000-year-old bronze sword (2 photos)

Archaeologists have discovered a bronze sword over 3,000 years old in excavations in the city of Nördlingen in Bavaria (Germany). About the opening was announced in a press release from the Bavarian State Office for protection of monuments.





The sword was found among the burial of inventory and weapons, next to the remains of a man, woman and child. Scientists note that so far it is not clear what relationship could have been between these people.

Nakhodka is an octagonal sword with octagonal handle, entirely made of bronze. Production octagonal swords is difficult, since the hilt is cast over the blade (the so-called overhead casting). The decoration is made with inlay and using marks. While there are two real rivets, one more a couple of rivets are only implied. Despite the laboriousness manufacturing and the absence of impact marks, it can be assumed that it was real weapon. The center of gravity at the front of the blade indicates about a predominantly chopping balance.



It is currently being investigated whether the sword was made in Bavaria or was imported here. In the Bronze Age there were three main distribution center for octagonal swords of this type: one in the South Germany, and others in Northern Germany and Denmark.

A comparison of casting and decoration methods shows that while while some of the octagonal swords in the North may be genuine imports or the work of "wandering craftsmen", others may be copies of South German samples.

"The sword and burial have yet to be explored so that our archaeologists could more accurately classify this find. But it's already possible say: exceptional condition! Such a find is very rare!” said the head of the Bavarian State Office for the Protection of Monuments Matthias Pfeil.