A sword estimated to be at least 1,000 years old was found at the bottom of a river in central Poland.
The mediaeval weapon was discovered in Włocławek amid dredging works on a marina in the Vistula river. The municipal sport and leisure centre shared pictures of the intriguing discovery on social media, which sparked the interest of several archaeologists. According to weapons specialist and archeologist Olaf Popkiewicz, the sword that has been found probably dates back to the 9th century.
The mysterious item was rapidly transported to the Nicolaus Copernicus University in the neighbouring city of Toruń, where it is undergoing conservation and further research. Local experts agree that the discovery could be described as an archeological sensation.
In an interview given to Dzień Dobry Włocławek, archaeologist Wojciech Sosnowksi described the sword as “a very delicate and valuable object” which “needs to be urgently conserved”.
Whereas the age of the sword does not seem to spark controversy, the question that remains unanswered is to whom it had belonged. Some experts believe it could have been a weapon of ancient Vikings. This theory, however, is not unanimously as sure.
After the conservation works at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, the sword is to be exposed in Włocławek’s history museum.
Image: Facebook (Ośrodek Sportu i Rekreacji Włocławek)
Author: Sébastien Meuwissen
