Archaeologists have unearthed a rare octagonal hilt sword in a Bronze Age tomb in Germany.

Unearthing a brand new 3,000-year-old sword in Germany
The hilt of the sword still has a blue sheen due to the high percentage of copper. Photo: Twitter/Nina Willburger
The special thing is that this sword was found in extremely good condition, even though it had been buried for thousands of years.

According to Live Science, the sword was found in extremely good condition, still sparkling when it was first discovered. The Bavarian State Office for Monuments Conservation announced this remarkable discovery in a press release.

This is quite an interesting discovery as the artifact was made entirely of bronze. It even has a slight green tint due to its high copper content.

Crafting swords with octagonal hilts is a rather complicated process due to the way the handle is molded onto the blade, Arkeonews reported. Live Science adds that only skilled blacksmiths are capable of creating octagonal swords with such high precision.

Swords with octagonal hilts required great skill to craft. Photo: Twitter/Nina Willburger
Swords with octagonal hilts required great skill to craft. Photo: Twitter/Nina Willburger
The sword’s condition suggests it was of high quality production, but there are no indications that it was used in combat. However, this can be considered a real combat weapon.

In fact, the front of the blade has a center of gravity, creating balance for soldiers when slashing. However, due to the lack of obvious signs of wear or cuts, the sword is also believed to have been for symbolic or ceremonial purposes only.

Currently, researchers know of only two areas in Germany that can produce octagonal swords. They include one located in southern Germany, while the other is located in northern Germany and Denmark. As for the newly found sword, the area where it was cast remains a mystery.

The octagonal sword was discovered in the grave where a child, a woman and a man were buried in the Bavarian town of Nördlingen. However, it is unclear whether these people are related or not. The burial site also included many weapons and burial items.

The almost brand new sword was found in a Bronze Age tomb in Germany. Photo: Twitter/Nina Willburger
The almost brand new sword was found in a Bronze Age tomb in Germany. Photo: Twitter/Nina Willburger
The rare artifact has been dated to the end of 1400 BC. Sword finds dating from this period and region are quite rare, as a number of Bronze Age tombs have been looted over the millennia.

Matthias Pfeil, head of the Bavarian State Office for the Protection of Monuments and a person involved in preserving the sword, explained that the burial site and the sword need to be examined for a more accurate classification.