Remarkably preserved Viking-Age sword surfaces in Dutch river

A remarkably well-preserved sword, dating back over a thousand years, has been uncovered from a river on a historic private estate near Utrecht, the Netherlands and is now on display at the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden. 

In March, construction workers found the three-foot-long sword embedded in a large clay block in the Korte Linschoten River at Linschoten, a historic 1,200-acre estate about 25 miles west of Utrecht. The blade was clearly visible, protruding from the clay as workers excavated the riverbed, Caliber.Az reports via Artnet.

Experts date the sword to between 1050 and 1150 C.E., based on design elements like its Brazil-nut-shaped pommel and broad crossguard, according to Archaeology Magazine. X-rays revealed traces of wood and leather on the handle, suggesting the original grip materials are still partially preserved.

The Linschoten Estate and Montfoort municipality donated the sword to the museum, where it will be displayed through August in an area open to the public free of charge.

“This sword tells the story of a time when symbolism and spirituality were deeply intertwined, and when a simple design could transcend centuries,” said a Montfoort City Council spokesperson. “Its refined craftsmanship and symbolic depth make it not only a historical relic, but also a work of art that reflects the cultural complexity of early medieval Europe.”

The sword’s remarkable preservation is credited to its burial in clay, which protected it from corrosion. Once unearthed, it required immediate conservation, including a 10-week desalination process, cleaning, drying, and treatment with tannins to stabilize the metal.

Copper wire inlays decorate both sides of the blade with spiritual motifs: one side features a sun wheel, a cross within a circle used in medieval church rites, while the other displays a checkerboard pattern symbolizing loyalty and protection common in Viking and Germanic art.

No scabbard was found, nor signs it had one, leading experts to conclude the sword was a ceremonial offering, possibly honoring a warrior or sanctifying the land.

Archaeologists study such artifacts to better understand the cultures that made them. Recent research suggests Nordic Vikings were more violent than Danish Vikings, based partly on the volume of weapons they owned as both tools and status symbols.

Swords have also traveled widely; for instance, a 17th-century Japanese samurai sword was found last year in Berlin and is believed to have been a diplomatic gift to the Kingdom of Prussia in the 19th century.

By Naila Huseynova