Cracow archaeologists discovered Troy Little Poland – Polish Radio

                             A lover of history found in the vicinity Jerzwałdu and donated to the museum antique sword, dating probably from the fourth century. According to archaeologists, this may be – unique in the lands of ancient Balts – type sword Spath from the late Roman period.
                         

The precious copy of the weapons came across with the help of a metal detector Christopher Kępiński the club discoverer of the Society of Friends of the Earth Suska, which a few years now enriches its findings collections of local chambers of history and the Museum of Warmia and Mazury . A well-preserved sword with a length of 95 cm lay shallowly underground.

Kępiński told PAP that at the first examination, he realized that he found something “extremely rare” because the characteristics of the blade indicated that the sword may be older than medieval. – It is easy to imagine the emotions that I felt when I saw him. These findings are the dream of every treasure hunter. You could say that I found your “gold train” – he said.

The finder has announced his discovery provincial conservator, who donated them to the Museum of Warmia and Mazury. As demonstrated by initial survey conducted by Kacper Martyka of the department of archeology of the museum, the sword does not have the characteristics of medieval weapons. Curators yet determine the authenticity of the find, which underwent conservation work.

In their opinion, there are indications that the weapons came from approx. The fourth century, that is from the late Roman period. If it is confirmed previous suspicions, found near. Jerzwałdu copy of the weapons to be associated with very rare on the ancient lands of bałtyjskich swords type Spath.

Their prototype, with Celtic still pedigree, has spread in recent centuries before Christ as a weapon license Roman, later used also by foot. Way of contacts with the Roman Empire knowledge of long obosiecznych swords and techniques to use them penetrated well into the world of barbaric – to areas of northern Europe.

During the archaeological excavations carried out at any time between lower Vistula and the Niemen, was discovered only a few copies of the weapons – including the cemetery kurhanowym the Suwalki and the tomb of a warrior on the peninsula of Sambia.

Sword from Jerzwałdu is another valuable discovery in this area, which encountered club members discoverer of drought. Previously, using metal detectors found there a cluster of early medieval monuments.

When conducted this summer by the Museum of Warmia and Mazury archaeological expedition k. Jerzwałdu excavated nearly a thousand items, including several shoes, or fitting sheath swords – so much the collection of this type has so far no museum in Poland. They also found the grave of incinerator X-XI centuries.

Archaeologists speculate that discovered the unique world of Balts Western settlement of trade associated with the legendary Truso – Viking port, which existed from the eighth to the eleventh century at the mouth of the Vistula.

Located on Jeziorak village Jerzwałd is known in Poland mainly from the fact that for many years he lived there writer Zbigniew Nienacki, author of a popular series of books about the adventures of treasure hunter Lord Samochodzik.

(PAP)