Rare Medieval Sword Found by Angler

A fisherman in Poland recently made an extraordinary discovery when he reeled in a 700-year-old sword from the Vistula River. This remarkable find offers a rare glimpse into the warfare of the Middle Ages. The discovery was announced last month by the Capital Conservator of Monuments in Warsaw, who shared the news on their Facebook page. The post humorously noted, “It was supposed to be this big a fish – but it turned out to be this big a sword!” emphasizing the unexpected nature of the find. The department highlighted that the Vistula River conceals many such historical treasures.

Preservation and Study of the Artifact

After the discovery, the fisherman handed over the sword to local authorities, who then transferred it to experts for preservation and study. The artifact is being carefully preserved to ensure its longevity for future research. According to the Facebook post, the sword is almost fully intact, featuring a spherical pommel and a distinctive cross mark on its grip. These features are crucial for dating and understanding its historical context.

Historical Significance and Ongoing Research

Anna Magdalena Łań, a chief specialist with the city of Warsaw, provided insights into the sword’s historical significance. She explained that the sword dates back to the 13th or 14th century, coinciding with Warsaw’s founding period. The cross mark on the grip is believed to be the blacksmith’s signature, which could help determine a more precise date. Łań noted that despite its age, the sword is relatively light due to significant corrosion.

Contextual Challenges and Archaeological Discoveries

The circumstances surrounding why the sword ended up in the river remain unknown. Łań mentioned that swords were not typically deposited ritually in 13th-century Poland, as this was more common in pagan traditions rather than Christian ones. The lack of accompanying artifacts makes it challenging to provide additional context about its origins. This discovery is one of many fascinating archaeological finds in Poland this year. In Gdańsk, archaeologists uncovered a medieval knight’s tomb beneath a former ice cream parlor. Earlier, pedestrians stumbled upon a 2,500-year-old dagger on a Polish beach along the Baltic Sea coast.