An amateur metal detector has uncovered a priceless treasure in a bog near Veksø, Denmark. Among these items is a sword that is approximately 2,500 years old.
In the spring of 2024, Claus Falsby – an amateur metal detectorist made an astonishing discovery during his first outing in a bog near Veksø, Denmark. He uncovered several valuable artifacts around 2,500 years old, including a sword.
The bronze sword is shaped like the letter “S”. In addition to the ancient sword, Falsby also found several rings, two axes, and a few other artifacts. After discovering these rare antiquities, Falsby contacted the ROMU museum organization, and archaeologist Emil Winther Struve was assigned to examine and analyze the artifacts.
The bronze sword shaped like the letter “S”.
According to archaeologist Struve’s research, this is a very rare find. Previously, archaeologists had discovered some bronze artifacts in bogs dating back to the early and mid-Bronze Age. However, there is limited information about the late Bronze Age.
Struve believes that the artifacts found by Falsby with his metal detector may have been buried by ancient people to honor an ancient deity through ritual. This could explain why the sword has such a unique shape.
The sword was bent into an “S” shape before being buried in the bog. The iron rivets on the hilt of the sword are among the earliest known iron rivets in Denmark, dating back to around 500 BC.
The sword seems to have been imported from the northern Alps, influenced by the Hallstatt culture in that region at the time. “Hallstatt swords are sturdier, heavier, and better suited for slashing rather than stabbing, reflecting a change in combat techniques,” Struve noted.
According to Struve, since the sword was bent for ritual purposes, it was no longer an effective weapon in combat. However, its craftsmanship and exquisite materials made it a valuable sacrificial offering. He added that sacrificial rituals were common in the early Bronze Age but had “declined” by the late Bronze Age.
