1,000-year-old medieval sword found in Dutch river after construction workers stumbled upon the artifact
The discovery of the sword was announced by the Netherlands' National Museum of Antiquities (RMO) in Leiden on June 24.
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The artifact, named the Linschoten Sword, was found in March 2024 during 'maintenance dredging activities,' the museum said in a press release.
Construction workers were struck by a 'long piece of iron' while cleaning a small river known as the Korte Linschoten, the statement noted.
The discovery turned out to be a sword measuring over three feet in length, dating back between 1050 and 1150 A.D.
Pictures show the sword with a long crossguard and a pommel shaped like a Brazil nut, the museum noted.
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'The blade is sharp on both edges and inlaid with strips of gold-colored copper, forming circular motifs featuring a cross and an 'endless knot' flanked by three lines on each side,' the RMO said.
The sword was likely made with high-quality iron that was mined locally in the Veluwe hills. Experts believe it was deliberately deposited into the river, as there was no trace of a scabbard or sheath.
3 A remarkable medieval sword with rare symbols was recently put on display in a Dutch museum, over a year after it was found by construction workers unexpectedly.
Ruben de Heer/Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
The museum also noted that medieval swords were 'deeply personal possessions.'
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'They were either buried with their owner or – alternatively – ritually deposited into water,' the release noted. 'In the latter case, they are often exceptionally well-preserved.'
RMO curator Annemarieke Willemsen told Fox News Digital that medieval swords are 'rare finds.'
3 The artifact, named the Linschoten Sword, was found in March 2024 during 'maintenance dredging activities,' the museum said in a press release.
Ruben de Heer/Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
'When [swords are found], [they're] often well-preserved because they are made of top-quality steel,' she explained.
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Many swords were 'deposited in a river, where they rested for centuries under the water table, in an anaerobic environment,' the curator added.
'We have a similar sword with the same shape and date in our collections with the name 'Ulfberht' on the blade that was found in the river Schelde,' she said. 'We have [many] more swords from the Middle Ages more broadly.''
In its statement, the museum noted that, though the sword was 'remarkably well-preserved,' it's possible that some components have decayed after 1,000 years.
'Only the organic components – such as the wooden grip and any leather wrappings – have succumbed to time,' the RMO's press release added.
'The iron is barely corroded due to the oxygen-poor environment of the wet soil. Traces of the wooden hilt are still visible on the preserved sword.'
The sword's remarkable preservation offers a rare connection to the 11th century, a period marked by frequent conflict in the Netherlands.
3 The discovery turned out to be a sword measuring over three feet in length, dating back between 1050 and 1150 A.D.
Ruben de Heer/Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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'During this period, the Bishop of Utrecht held authority in the region, although the Counts of Holland and Flanders were rising in power,' the museum said.
'This era also saw a shift in military tactics and weaponry: vertical slashing from horseback gave way to horizontal thrusting between pieces of armor,' the officials added.
'This sword, which could be wielded with one hand, embodies that transitional phase – suited to both techniques.'
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New York Post
14 hours ago
- New York Post
1,000-year-old medieval sword found in Dutch river after construction workers stumbled upon the artifact
A remarkable medieval sword with rare symbols was recently put on display in a Dutch museum, over a year after it was found by construction workers unexpectedly. The discovery of the sword was announced by the Netherlands' National Museum of Antiquities (RMO) in Leiden on June 24. Advertisement The artifact, named the Linschoten Sword, was found in March 2024 during 'maintenance dredging activities,' the museum said in a press release. Construction workers were struck by a 'long piece of iron' while cleaning a small river known as the Korte Linschoten, the statement noted. The discovery turned out to be a sword measuring over three feet in length, dating back between 1050 and 1150 A.D. Pictures show the sword with a long crossguard and a pommel shaped like a Brazil nut, the museum noted. Advertisement 'The blade is sharp on both edges and inlaid with strips of gold-colored copper, forming circular motifs featuring a cross and an 'endless knot' flanked by three lines on each side,' the RMO said. The sword was likely made with high-quality iron that was mined locally in the Veluwe hills. Experts believe it was deliberately deposited into the river, as there was no trace of a scabbard or sheath. 3 A remarkable medieval sword with rare symbols was recently put on display in a Dutch museum, over a year after it was found by construction workers unexpectedly. Ruben de Heer/Rijksmuseum van Oudheden The museum also noted that medieval swords were 'deeply personal possessions.' Advertisement 'They were either buried with their owner or – alternatively – ritually deposited into water,' the release noted. 'In the latter case, they are often exceptionally well-preserved.' RMO curator Annemarieke Willemsen told Fox News Digital that medieval swords are 'rare finds.' 3 The artifact, named the Linschoten Sword, was found in March 2024 during 'maintenance dredging activities,' the museum said in a press release. Ruben de Heer/Rijksmuseum van Oudheden 'When [swords are found], [they're] often well-preserved because they are made of top-quality steel,' she explained. Advertisement Many swords were 'deposited in a river, where they rested for centuries under the water table, in an anaerobic environment,' the curator added. 'We have a similar sword with the same shape and date in our collections with the name 'Ulfberht' on the blade that was found in the river Schelde,' she said. 'We have [many] more swords from the Middle Ages more broadly.'' In its statement, the museum noted that, though the sword was 'remarkably well-preserved,' it's possible that some components have decayed after 1,000 years. 'Only the organic components – such as the wooden grip and any leather wrappings – have succumbed to time,' the RMO's press release added. 'The iron is barely corroded due to the oxygen-poor environment of the wet soil. Traces of the wooden hilt are still visible on the preserved sword.' The sword's remarkable preservation offers a rare connection to the 11th century, a period marked by frequent conflict in the Netherlands. 3 The discovery turned out to be a sword measuring over three feet in length, dating back between 1050 and 1150 A.D. Ruben de Heer/Rijksmuseum van Oudheden Advertisement 'During this period, the Bishop of Utrecht held authority in the region, although the Counts of Holland and Flanders were rising in power,' the museum said. 'This era also saw a shift in military tactics and weaponry: vertical slashing from horseback gave way to horizontal thrusting between pieces of armor,' the officials added. 'This sword, which could be wielded with one hand, embodies that transitional phase – suited to both techniques.'
Fox News
a day ago
- Fox News
1,000-year-old medieval sword emerges from Dutch river after chance discovery: 'Barely corroded'
A remarkable medieval sword with rare symbols was recently put on display in a Dutch museum, over a year after it was found by construction workers unexpectedly. The discovery of the sword was announced by the Netherlands' National Museum of Antiquities (RMO) in Leiden on June 24. The artifact, named the Linschoten Sword, was found in March 2024 during "maintenance dredging activities," the museum said in a press release. Construction workers were struck by a "long piece of iron" while cleaning a small river known as the Korte Linschoten, the statement noted. The discovery turned out to be a sword measuring over three feet in length, dating back between 1050 and 1150 A.D. Pictures show the sword with a long crossguard and a pommel shaped like a Brazil nut, the museum noted. "The blade is sharp on both edges and inlaid with strips of gold-colored copper, forming circular motifs featuring a cross and an 'endless knot' flanked by three lines on each side," the RMO said. Medieval swords are "rare finds." The sword was likely made with high-quality iron that was mined locally in the Veluwe hills. Experts believe it was deliberately deposited into the river, as there was no trace of a scabbard or sheath. The museum also noted that medieval swords were "deeply personal possessions." "They were either buried with their owner or – alternatively – ritually deposited into water," the release noted. "In the latter case, they are often exceptionally well-preserved." RMO curator Annemarieke Willemsen told Fox News Digital that medieval swords are "rare finds." "When [swords are found], [they're] often well-preserved because they are made of top-quality steel," she explained. Many swords were "deposited in a river, where they rested for centuries under the water table, in an anaerobic environment," the curator added. "We have a similar sword with the same shape and date in our collections with the name 'Ulfberht' on the blade that was found in the river Schelde," she said. "We have [many] more swords from the Middle Ages more broadly.'" "Only the organic components – such as the wooden grip and any leather wrappings – have succumbed to time." In its statement, the museum noted that, though the sword was "remarkably well-preserved," it's possible that some components have decayed after 1,000 years. "Only the organic components – such as the wooden grip and any leather wrappings – have succumbed to time," the RMO's press release added. "The iron is barely corroded due to the oxygen-poor environment of the wet soil. Traces of the wooden hilt are still visible on the preserved sword." The sword's remarkable preservation offers a rare connection to the 11th century, a period marked by frequent conflict in the Netherlands. "During this period, the Bishop of Utrecht held authority in the region, although the Counts of Holland and Flanders were rising in power," the museum said. "This era also saw a shift in military tactics and weaponry: vertical slashing from horseback gave way to horizontal thrusting between pieces of armor," the officials added. "This sword, which could be wielded with one hand, embodies that transitional phase – suited to both techniques."
New York Post
5 days ago
- New York Post
Rare Christian cross, Viking treasures unearthed — revealing ‘fascinating insights' to past
Advertisement Archaeologists recently unearthed a hoard of early medieval treasures on the banks of an inlet in northern Germany, all thanks to a metal detectorist. The State Archaeology Department of Schleswig-Holstein (ALSH) announced the discovery in a press release in late May. The hoard, dating back roughly 1,000 years, was found on the shores of the Schlei, an inlet in the Baltic Sea. Officials said that the area is near 'the once-significant Viking-era trading post of Haithabu.' The hoard was originally flagged by a metal detectorist named Arjen Spiesswinkel, who reported his finds to the ALSH. Advertisement 'A targeted follow-up search with additional detectorists helped narrow down the location of the find,' the ALSH said in a statement. 5 Archaeologists discovered early medieval treasures in northern Germany with the help of a metal detectorist. ALSH 5 Volunteers dug through the soil, finding over 200 artifacts. ALSH 'Subsequently, a systematic excavation by the ALSH, together with volunteer helpers, recovered the objects.' Advertisement Pictures show focused volunteers digging through the soil in search of the treasure hoard, which consisted of over 200 artifacts. 'In this case, the hoard includes around 200 objects, mostly made of silver, hacksilver, fragments of Arabic coins (dirhams), bar pieces and jewelry,' the statement noted. 5 The items found were 'mostly made of silver, hacksilver, fragments of Arabic coins (dirhams), bar pieces and jewelry,' the statement from The State Archaeology Department of Schleswig-Holstein said. ALSH 5 According to officials, the cross is 'an early testament to the beginning of Christianization in the region.' ALSH Advertisement Officials added, 'Particularly noteworthy is a delicate cross pendant – an early testament to the beginning of Christianization in the region.' 'Particularly noteworthy is a delicate cross pendant – an early testament to the beginning of Christianization in the region.' The ALSH also noted that hoard finds typically consist of 'buried or submerged objects that were either hidden to protect them from others or laid down as offerings.' A ceramic shard and a whetstone were also found at the site, which officials believe may be 'possible indications of a previously unknown settlement.' 5 A ceramic shard and a whetstone were also found at the site. ALSH 'The finds offer fascinating insights into the history of the 10th century, a time of trade, cultural exchange, and religious transformation,' the statement concluded. The Viking Age lasted from roughly 800 A.D. to 1050 A.D., meaning that the hoard dates back to the later part of the era. Advertisement The discovery comes as many recent Viking-related finds have been uncovered across Europe. In Sweden, officials recently announced the discovery of a Viking grave with 'Christian overtones' on the outskirts of Linköping.
