A metal detector search for World War II relics in a forested area of Poland has led to the discovery of a much older artifact—a broken sword believed to be nearly 2,000 years old. Found in the Jura region of southern Poland, the sword was intentionally shattered into three pieces and is thought to have belonged to a Germanic warrior from the Vandal tribes. The object is undergoing further examination to determine its exact historical significance.

Weapon Identified as a Double-Edged Spatha

As reported by Live Science, according to research conducted at the Częstochowa Museum, the unearthed sword has been identified as a spatha, a double-edged broadsword commonly used by mounted Germanic warriors during the Roman Empire. This style of weapon was widely employed from the third century BCE to the fifth century CE. Southern Poland, where the artifact was found, was home to the Przeworsk culture during this period, which included the Vandals.

Evidence of Ritualistic Weapon Destruction

In a statement to Live Science, Mariusz Włudarz, President of the Inventum Association, explained that the sword had been deliberately broken as part of a funeral ritual. As per reports, the warrior’s weapon was shattered and placed on a cremation pyre, a practice commonly observed in Przeworsk culture. Historical records indicate that damaged weapons, including bent swords and altered shields, were often buried with fallen warriors, a tradition possibly inherited from Celtic customs.

Ongoing Research and Preservation Efforts

Investigations are currently being carried out at the Częstochowa Museum to analyse the composition and history of the sword. The precise location of the discovery is being kept confidential while further searches in the area are conducted. Once initial research is completed, the artifact is expected to undergo conservation work before being placed on display at the Mokra Museum.

The discovery adds to existing archaeological evidence of burial traditions associated with Germanic tribes and may provide further insights into Vandal funerary customs and their interactions with the Roman Empire.