In Germany, an ancient Bronze-Age sword has been discovered, astonishingly retaining a somewhat shiny appearance even after the passage of three thousand four hundred years since its creation.

Discovered in the burial site of a man near the town of Nördlingen, the sword is believed to have been crafted from bronze using the most advanced techniques available during the 14th century BCE.

Unlike early swords and long knives from the Homeric Bronze Age in Greece, which were cast from a single mold like a bronze statue, the Nördlingen weapon was made by casting the hilt onto the preexisting blade.

Within the grave, the remains of a man, a boy, and a woman were found alongside bronze arrowheads and other artifacts, the Good News Network has reported.

Archaeologists are uncertain about the familial relationship between the individuals. The sword, featuring an octagonal pommel, is believed to have been a genuine and functional weapon, although it was likely not intended for use in combat.

If the dating of the weapon is accurate, it would place its origin within the Tumulus Culture—a prominent society during the Middle Bronze Age in central Europe, spanning from the Carpathians to the Rhine.

Although known as a warrior society, the Tumulus people were also skilled in metalworking, particularly with gold and bronze.

In fact, the earliest recorded instance of a metallic representation of a human body part in archaeology corresponds to these fascinating Europeans.

Written by staff