admin An object from the mid-bronze age, in an ‘extraordinary’ state of preservation, was found in a grave in Bavaria
A bronze sword made more than 3,000 years ago that is so well-preserved it “almost still shines” has been unearthed in Germany, officials say.
Bavaria’s state office for the preservation of historical monuments says the sword, which is believed to date back to the end of the 14th century BC – the middle of the Bronze Age – was found during excavations last week in Noerdlingen, between Nuremberg and Stuttgart in southern Germany.
Bavarian authorities said in a statement on June 14 that the sword, which has an octagonal handle, was found in a tomb where three people, a man, a woman and a boy, were buried in quick succession with bronze objects. It’s not yet clear if the three are related, and if so, how.
Professor Matthias Pfeil, director of the Bavarian Monuments Preservation Office (BLfD), said: “The sword and the burial still need to be investigated so that archaeologists can classify this find more accurately.” . Must be in an extremely good state of preservation.
It is rare to find swords from this period, but they were either found in burial mounds built in the 19th century or were found individually, the bureau said.
The Bronze Age of Western Europe was known for its advanced metallurgy and the skillful work of its metallurgists, and this sword is a fine example of that. Metallurgy has played an important role in the development of society and technological progress. This period dates from around 2500 BC. To 800 BC This period was characterized by the widespread use of bronze, an alloy based on copper, for the manufacture of tools, weapons and other important objects.
Unique designs reflect the expertise and artistry of their creators. Such octagonal swords were made only by skilled blacksmiths. The handle is a fine piece of craftsmanship and is attached to the blade with two rivets using the so-called overlay casting technique. Remarkably, despite its apparent function, the blade shows no visible signs of wear or cuts, suggesting that it may have served a ceremonial or symbolic purpose.
