A Glimmering Discovery in Nördlingen
The sword was discovered during archaeological excavations in Nördlingen, a town in the Donau-Ries district of Swabia, Bavaria. The weapon, which dates to the middle Bronze Age, is so remarkably well-preserved that it still gleams. This level of preservation is exceptional for a find of this age. The sword was found in a burial site, and its octagonal hilt is a characteristic of the intricate metalworking of the period. The initial discovery was a significant event, but the subsequent scientific analysis has elevated its importance, turning a fascinating object into a rich source of knowledge about Bronze Age technology.
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The Bronze Age sword has some green tarnish due to its copper content, but otherwise every detail is preserved. (Dr. Woidich/Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Monuments)
Microscopic Clues and Masterful Techniques
To unlock the sword’s secrets without damaging it, a team of researchers from the Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Monuments (BLfD ), the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), and the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) employed a battery of modern analytical techniques. Using high-resolution 3D computed tomography, the team was able to peer inside the sword’s structure. The scans revealed that the blade was attached to the hilt with a tang, a projection of the blade that was clamped and riveted. The tomography was so precise that it also uncovered the faint striations left by the engraving tools used to create the geometric patterns on the pommel. Restorer Beate Herbold noted that these marks suggest the use of hardened bronze burins or fine abrasive stones, applied with incredible control.
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Beate Herbold and Johann Friedrich Tolksdorf positioning the sword for measurement at the BAMline at BESSY II. (HZB/Kevin Fuchs)
The Surprising Choice of Copper
One of the most significant discoveries came from the analysis of the decorative inlays. For decades, similar decorations on other Bronze Age artifacts were thought to be made of tin or organic bitumen. However, when Dr. Martin Radtke of BAM analyzed the sword using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy at the BESSY II synchrotron, the results were unexpected. The analysis revealed that the fine grooves of the hilt were filled with almost pure copper wires. This was a surprise to the researchers, as copper is harder and less plastic than tin, making it more difficult to work with. The wires were not continuous but were made of individual segments, meticulously drawn to a uniform thickness and hammered into place. This finding demonstrates a level of metalworking skill far more advanced than previously attributed to Bronze Age artisans.
The pommel of the sword. (HZB/Kevin Fuchs)
Recreating Ancient Artistry
The choice of copper also posed a question of aesthetics. The reddish hue of fresh copper would not have contrasted sharply with the pale gold of the bronze. The researchers hypothesize that the craftsmen may have intentionally patinated, or chemically darkened, the copper to make the intricate designs stand out. Substances like human urine or vinegar could have been used to create a black or dark brown finish, enhancing the visual impact of the decoration. The investigation into the Nördlingen sword is ongoing, with researchers hoping to learn more about the specific workshops and techniques of the Bronze Age in southern Germany. As Prof. Mathias Pfeil, General Conservator of the BLfD, stated, “Through the most modern measurement methods, we can understand how metal was worked almost three and a half millennia ago, with astonishing precision and highly developed skills.”
Top image: The Nördlingen sword at the discovery site. Source: Archäologie-Büro Dr. Woidich/Sergiu Tifui
By Gary Manners
References
Carvajal, G. 2026. Analyses reveal that the Nördlingen Bronze Age octagonal sword was decorated with drawn copper wires and preserves tool marks. Available at: https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2026/02/analyses-reveal-that-the-nordlingen-bronze-age-octagonal-sword-was-decorated-with-drawn-copper-wires-and-preserves-tool-marks/
Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin. 2026. Faszinierendes Fundstück wird zu wertvoller Wissensquelle. Available at: https://www.helmholtz-berlin.de/pubbin/news_seite?nid=32626&sprache=de&seitenid=1
