Archaeologists have dug up a remarkably well-preserved Bronze Age sword, which is over 3,000 years old.
The bronze sword, with an octagonal hilt (sword handle), was found in a grave in the southern town of Nördlingen between Nuremberg and Stuttgart, with archeologists estimating it to be from the late 14th Century BC.
Its condition is so good “it almost still shines”, Bavaria’s State Office for Monument Protection (BLfD) has proudly stated.
It is unusual to find swords from the period, but they have emerged from burial mounds that were opened in the 19th century or as individual finds, the office said.
Researchers believe the sword was a serious weapon: “The center of gravity in the front part of the blade indicates that it was balanced mainly for slashing”.
The grave in which it was found contains the bones of a man, woman and boy, as well as other bronze items, suggesting wealth. It is not clear whether the three people were related to each other.
