27 March 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

2800-year-old two Swords found in Germany from the start of the Iron Age

During archaeological excavations in preparation for the construction of the fire station in the Frieding district of Andechs in southern Germany, archaeologists discovered two extremely rare and partly well-preserved early Iron Age swords.

The swords are dated to the 8th century BC, to the Hallstatt period.

The swords are among the oldest iron swords ever discovered in southern Germany. What makes them even more special is that they have an important transitional stage from the use of bronze to the use of iron in weapons.

Although both swords were made of iron, the first was shaped and styled as a bronze sword, and the other had an adapted design to advantage the stronger and more stable metal.

The shorter one was probably used as a stabbing weapon in man-to-man combat, while the longer, heavier one was more suitable as a stabbing weapon that the fighter could use from above, for example, on horseback.

Photo: BLFD

A team of restorers at the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation in Munich used micro-fine blasting technology to clean the swords and inspect them more attentively. The blades are partially heavily corroded, the handles are missing. However, remnants of horn were found on one of the so-called handle tongues, indicating that the handle was constructed of this material. On the handle, two of the four rivets that fastened the horn plates on the grip tongue are still visible. Because no comparable connection remnants can be found on the other sword, restorers and archaeologists believe the hilt was affixed with a resin glue. It’s impossible to tell what kind of material it was composed of anymore.

Discovered swords were grave goods, with each sword buried with cremated remains in a separate tomb. As was customary at that time, the deceased were cremated. Remains of multiple layers of linen woven fabric were found on both swords, as well as the remains of a cord that must have been wrapped around it in several places. These finds showed that the weapons were wrapped in a cloth.

9.6 centimeter, bowl-head pin. Photo: BLFD

In addition to swords, up to three vessels were found, which were only in pieces, as well as a high concentration of human remains, called cremations. The concentration of the remains in certain areas suggested to archaeologists that they were originally placed in an organic container, such as a cloth bag, and later buried next to the weapons.

The team of archaeologists documented a total of eight burials at the site. They can be assigned to the Hallstatt period according to their grave goods. Among the grave goods found a bowl-head pin, bronze jewelry, vessels, and spindle whorls.

Cover Photo: Well-preserved Iron Age sword from Andechs-Frieding (Photo: BLFD)

BLFD

Related Articles

An inscription containing 15 headless falcons and unknown ancient rituals found in an ancient Egyptian temple

8 October 2022

8 October 2022

Archaeologists have discovered a shrine containing previously unknown ancient rituals during excavations at Berenike, a Greco-Roman port in Egypt’s eastern...

A rare 2,500-year-old marble disc, designed to protect ancient ships and ward off the evil eye discovered near Palmachim Beach

5 August 2023

5 August 2023

A rare 2,500-year-old marble disc designed to protect ancient ships and ward off the evil eye was discovered by a...

Ancient City Cistern Found Near Croatia’s Iconic Fountain

15 February 2024

15 February 2024

An island-speckled coastline and ancient walled towns place Croatia among the world’s best-beauty cities. But there’s even more to this...

Lost 14th Century Church Discovered under a Tennis Court in Hungary

14 May 2024

14 May 2024

During an archaeological excavation in Visegrád, a fortified medieval castle on a hill overlooking the Danube in northern Hungary, the...

Roman girl adorned with 1800-year-old jewelry found in a lead coffin on Mount Scopus

9 April 2023

9 April 2023

“After the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple and the exodus of the Jewish population, late Roman Jerusalem—renamed Aelia Capitolina—had a...

Visit Baalbek’s Famous Temples with a Free 3d Virtual Tour

10 April 2021

10 April 2021

Baalbek, which has traces of settlement since 9000 BC, was one of the cornerstones of ancient civilizations. The famous Baalbek temple...

Malaysian rock art found to depict Ruling class and Indigenous tribes conflict

23 August 2023

23 August 2023

Researchers discovered that two anthropomorphic figures of indigenous warriors were created amid geopolitical tensions with the ruling class and other...

God Pan statue unearthed at Istanbul’s historical church of St. Polyeuctus

1 June 2023

1 June 2023

A Pan statue thought to belong to the Roman period was recovered during excavation works carried out by Istanbul Metropolitan...

Papal bull discovered in a former cemetery dated to the 14th century

10 May 2023

10 May 2023

A medieval bull found in 2021 in Budzistów village (Kołobrzeg district), Poland has been restored and placed on display in...

Votive Altar Dedicated to Basque Deity Larrahe Found in Medieval Well

23 June 2024

23 June 2024

Archaeologists have unearthed a Roman-era votive altar dedicated to the ancient Basque deity Larrahe at the medieval monastery of Doneztebe...

2,000-year-old bamboo slips discovered in Yunnan

31 March 2023

31 March 2023

Thousands of bamboo slips (rectangles tied together to form books) have been discovered at the Hebosuo archaeological site in southwestern...

A marble slab with an inscription from the 2nd century was discovered during excavations in Bulgaria

18 October 2023

18 October 2023 3

Archaeologists discovered a 1,900-year-old marble slab bearing an ancient Greek inscription in the Roman Baths of Hisarya, a small resort...

Archaeologists discovered a sunken prehistoric fort in Clew Bay island

1 April 2024

1 April 2024

A sunken prehistoric fort has been discovered on Clew Bay island off the north Mayo coast, Ireland. It has been...

An ancient structure of unknown purpose discovered in northeastern Italy

25 March 2023

25 March 2023

A mysterious structure of unknown purpose has been unearthed in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region in northeastern Italy. The discovery...

A Roman sarcophagus bearing the title of “Emperor’s Protector” was found for the first time in Anatolia

29 April 2022

29 April 2022

A sarcophagus carrying the title of “Emperor’s protector” was discovered in the province of Kocaeli in western Turkey. With the...