Archaeologists have found a sword that is more than 3,000 years old in a necropolis in Bavaria, in southern Germany.

Archaeological monumentPhoto: Shutterstock

“The sword is so well preserved that it still shines,” said the statement of the State Administration for the Protection of Monuments of Bavaria.

It was found last week in Donau Ris, and researchers believe it was placed in a tomb as a funerary offering.

The sword is believed to date from the late 14th century BC, the Middle Bronze Age.

Such a sword with an octagonal handle, made entirely of bronze, is a rare find, the statement said.

“The sword and the grave still need to be examined so that our archaeologists can classify the site more precisely,” said Professor Matthias Pfeil, head of the Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Monuments.

“The state of preservation is exceptional! Such a discovery is very rare,” he added.

Researchers believe that the sword was a real weapon. “The center of gravity is at the front of the blade, indicating that it was balanced primarily for cutting,” the statement said.

The sword was found in a grave with the remains of three people – a man, a woman and a young man – who were buried shortly after each other, the report said. It is not clear what their relationship was, but they were buried with many things. (News.ro)