ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → Archaeology

Amazing 14th-century longsword found in Polish bog

Not much is known about its owner.

Tibi PuiubyTibi Puiu
June 22, 2017
in Archaeology, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

A very fortunate excavator operator working in Mircze, Poland, made headlines after he found a medieval longsword. The weapon is thought to have been buried in a peat bog for over 600 years which explains why it looks so badly corroded. Even so, this is an extremely rare find.

Bartłomiej Bartecki, director of the Museum in Hrubieszów presents the sword found in the Commune of Mircze. Photo: PAP/ Wojciech Pacewicz.
Bartłomiej Bartecki, director of the Fr. Stanislaw Staszic Museum in Hrubieszów presents the sword found in the Commune of Mircze. Photo: PAP/ Wojciech Pacewicz.

Considering it’s been buried in peat for so long, the sword’s condition isn’t that bad. “Only the original hilt, which was likely made from bone, wood, or antler, is completely gone,” George Dvorsky writes for Gizmodo.

The medieval long sword was later donated to the Fr. Stanislaw Staszic Museum where it was thoroughly analyzed by the staff.

This is a well-balanced weapon that’s nearly 1.2 meters (4 ft.) long but weighs only 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs.). The knight who owned it had to use both hands to grip the sword but given its specs, this was a very agile weapon. You wouldn’t want to meet someone armed with such a weapon in battle.

polish longsword
Credit: Fr. Stanisław Staszic Museum.

It still bears the mark of an isosceles cross in a heraldic shield on the rear bar which must have been the blacksmith’s trademark sign. Other signs might still be etched on the sword, though, concealed under the thick layers of rust. Perhaps the name of the owner is etched somewhere.

Meanwhile, archaeologists from the museum plan on investigating the site where the long sword was found to get more clues. Did it belong to a knight who simply lost it? Was the owner killed and his remains are somewhere close to where the long sword was found? Such questions will hopefully be answered soon.

Credit: Fr. Stanislaw Staszic Museum
Credit: Fr. Stanislaw Staszic Museum

“This is a unique find in the region,” said Bartłomiej Bartecki, director of the Fr. Stanislaw Staszic Museum in Hrubieszów. “It’s worth pointing out that while there are similar artifacts in museum collections, their place of discovery is often unknown, and that is very important information for historians and archaeologists.”

Bartecki used this chance to emphasize how important accidental but nevertheless valuable archaeological finds such as this exquisite longsword are. In April, his museum opened an exhibition of 500 items, all of which were handed to the museum by accidental finders.

RelatedPosts

Archaeologists find perfectly preserved ancient octagonal 3,000-year-old sword — it’s almost shining
Mysterious ancient warrior buried with sword and mirror was actually a woman
The Sword of Goujian – still untarnished after 2700 years
Teaching a robot how to sword fight might support safety advances

For now, the medieval longsword is undergoing conservation in Warsaw but will later be returned to become part of the main exhibition at the Museum in Hrubieszów.

 

Tags: longswordsword

ShareTweetShare
Tibi Puiu

Tibi Puiu

Tibi is a science journalist and co-founder of ZME Science. He writes mainly about emerging tech, physics, climate, and space. In his spare time, Tibi likes to make weird music on his computer and groom felines. He has a B.Sc in mechanical engineering and an M.Sc in renewable energy systems.

Related Posts

Archaeology

Mysterious ancient warrior buried with sword and mirror was actually a woman

byTibi Puiu
2 years ago
Image credit: Bavarian State Office.
Archaeology

Archaeologists find perfectly preserved ancient octagonal 3,000-year-old sword — it’s almost shining

byFermin Koop
2 years ago
Archaeology

The Sword of Goujian – still untarnished after 2700 years

byMihai Andrei
14 years ago
Robotics

Teaching a robot how to sword fight might support safety advances

byTibi Puiu
14 years ago

Recent news

The Worm That Outsourced Locomotion to Its (Many) Butts

May 16, 2025

The unusual world of Roman Collegia — or how to start a company in Ancient Rome

May 16, 2025
Merton College, University of Oxford. Located in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK. Original public domain image from Wikimedia Commons

For over 500 years, Oxford graduates pledged to hate Henry Symeonis. So, who is he?

May 16, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.