3,400-year-old octagonal sword found in Bronze Age grave in Germany

Archaeologists in southern Germany have discovered a rare, 3,400-year-old octagonal Bronze Age sword known as an Achtkantschwert, notable for its exceptional preservation and craftsmanship. Using advanced technologies such as computed tomography and synchrotron radiation at Berlin’s Helmholtz-Zentrum and Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung, researchers revealed that the sword’s blade extends into the hilt as a tang secured by rivets. The study also uncovered intricate inlay work: copper wires embedded in the pommel grooves, contrasting with the bronze and possibly chemically blackened (patinated) to enhance visual effect. This level of detail highlights the sophisticated metallurgical skills of Bronze Age blacksmiths in southern Germany. The investigation, led by researchers including Beate Herbold and Johann-Friedrich Tolksdorf, challenges previous assumptions about the materials used and demonstrates a highly developed technique for joining the hilt and blade. Traces of tin and lead from the bronze alloy were also