3,000-year-old sword unearthed in Germany in perfect condition

Archaeologists have unearthed a rare octagonal-hilted sword from a Bronze Age grave in Germany. Remarkably, this sword was found in an exceptionally well-preserved state despite having been buried for thousands of years.

The hilt of the sword still has a blue sheen due to the high percentage of copper. Photo: Twitter/Nina Willburger

According to Live Science, the sword was discovered in near-perfect condition, still shining when it was first discovered. The Bavarian State Office for Monument Protection in Germany announced this important find in a press release.

This discovery is particularly fascinating because the artifact is made entirely of bronze. It even has a slight greenish tint due to the high copper content.

Arkeonews reported that crafting swords with octagonal hilts was a complex process because the handle was molded onto the blade. Live Science added that only skilled swordsmiths could create such swords with great precision. The condition of the sword indicates that it was made with high quality, but there are no signs that it was used in combat. However, it can still be considered a legitimate combat weapon.

Swords with octagonal hilts required great skill to craft. Photo: Twitter/Nina Willburger

In fact, the front of the blade has a centre of gravity that would provide balance to soldiers when attacking. However, due to the lack of wear or clear cutting marks, it is believed that the sword was mainly symbolic or used in rituals.

Currently, researchers have identified two regions in Germany capable of producing octagonal swords. One is in southern Germany, while the other is in northern Germany and Denmark. The exact region where this newly discovered sword was cast remains a mystery.

The nearly new sword was found in a Bronze Age grave in Germany. Photo: Twitter/Nina Willburger

The octagonal sword was found in a grave containing the remains of a child, a woman, and a man in the town of Nördlingen, Bavaria. It is still unclear whether these people were related. The burial site also included numerous weapons and grave goods. This rare artifact dates back to the late 15th century BC. Discoveries of swords from this period and region are quite rare, as many Bronze Age graves have been looted over the millennia.

Matthias Pfeil, head of the Bavarian State Office for Monument Protection and involved in the conservation of the sword, explained that the burial site and the sword need further examination for a more precise classification.