Marcin Wiśniewski discovered a remarkably well-preserved 2,700-year-old bronze sword standing upright in a Polish forest.
Marcin Wiśniewski, a hobbyist metal detectorist, discovered a rare bronze sword from the Late Bronze Age while exploring the Gdańsk Forest District in northern Poland. The artifact, which dates back to between 900 and 700 B.C., was found in an unusual position, standing upright in the sandy soil for approximately 2,700 years. After Marcin Wiśniewski reported the find to heritage officials, archaeologists used professional methods to recover the well-preserved blade. The Pomeranian Provincial Heritage Conservator confirmed that the sword is a significant find, though it is not the first of its kind in the region; two other bronze swords were discovered in a nearby peat bog during the 1920s. The sword will remain under professional care for documentation and study before the Provincial Heritage Conservator decides which museum will house the artifact. Experts noted that while ancient weapon discoveries in Poland are relatively rare, the find follows several notable archaeological successes over the past year.