Shining Relic: Bronze Age Sword Emerges in Immaculate Condition in German Burial

Officials have made an extraordinary discovery in southern Germany—an astonishingly well-preserved bronze sword that has withstood the test of time for over 3,000 years. The Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments (BLfD) recently announced the unearthing of this remarkable artifact, which exhibits such remarkable condition that it still possesses a radiant gleam.

Archaeologists made the captivating find during excavations conducted last week in Nördlingen, a town situated between Nuremberg and Stuttgart. The sword, believed to originate from the end of the 14th century BC, falls squarely within the middle of the Bronze Age, adding to its historical significance.

Described by the BLfD as being so well-preserved that it “almost still shines,” the sword’s remarkable state of conservation has captivated experts and enthusiasts alike. Its bronze composition has developed a slight greenish tinge over time, a natural occurrence due to the oxidation of copper, a component of bronze when exposed to air and moisture.

This discovery holds immense value as bronze swords from this era and region are scarce, with many middle Bronze Age graves having been pillaged and looted over the centuries. The origin of the sword remains a mystery, as researchers are aware of two production centers for octagonal swords in Germany—one in the south, and the other in the north, encompassing Denmark. The precise casting location of this newfound relic has yet to be determined.

The unearthing of this impeccably preserved bronze sword in southern Germany opens a window into the distant past, shedding light on the technological prowess, craftsmanship, and cultural context of the Bronze Age. It serves as a testament to the remarkable preservation of historical artifacts and offers a tantalizing glimpse into the lives and traditions of our ancestors from over three millennia ago.

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The sword has an octagonal hilt and comes from a grave in which three people – a man, a woman and a boy – were buried in quick succession with bronze objects, the BLfD said this week. It was not yet clear whether the three were related to each other and, if so, how.

The head of the Bavarian state office for the preservation of historical monuments said: ‘A find like this is very rare.’ Photograph: Archäologie-Büro Dr Woidich
Prof Mathias Pfeil, the head of the BLfD, said: “The sword and the burial still need to be examined so that our archeologists can categorise this find more precisely. But we can already say that the state of preservation is extraordinary. A find like this is very rare.”

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 BLfD said.

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