A recent study has revealed that a rare sword nicknamed Excalibur, found in the city of Valencia, Spain, is over 1,000 years old. This means it was last used when much of Spain was under Muslim rule.
The 46 cm long iron sword was discovered standing upright in a grave in 1994, prompting the finder to name it “Excalibur” after the legendary sword of King Arthur, who, according to medieval folklore, pulled a sword from a stone and subsequently ascended to the throne of England.
The sword nicknamed Excalibur was found dating back to the Islamic period in Spain in the 10th century. (Photo: Archaeological Services of the Valencia City Council)
The Valencia sword was discovered in a mosque located in the northern part of ancient Rome. The hilt of the sword is decorated with bronze plates and features notches to facilitate easier handling of the weapon.
Although the blade was found in a location from the Islamic period, there is one feature that complicates its dating: the sword is slightly curved towards the tip. This characteristic is also seen in swords made by the Visigoths, who ruled Spain from 418 to 711 AD. This raises the question of whether the sword dates back to the Visigothic period or the Islamic period (711 to 1492).
To address this question, the city of Valencia awarded a scholarship to José Miguel Osuna, an archaeologist at the University of Granada, to determine the sword’s age. By studying the metal composition of the weapon and the sediments where the sword was found, he concluded that it dates back to the 10th century, when Valencia was under Muslim rule and known as Balansiya.
He also discovered that the size of the sword and the absence of a handguard suggest that it was used by a knight. This research has yet to be published in a scientific journal.
This artifact is a rare find. According to statements, this is the first sword from the Islamic period excavated in Valencia.
During the period of Islamic rule, architecture, art, and literature flourished. The last Islamic state in Spain came to an end in 1492, when the Emirate of Granada surrendered to the forces of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.
