Mystery Unveiled: Medieval Sword with Enigmatic Viking Inscription Discovered Beneath Dutch River
In the year since it was found, experts have carefully cleaned, studied, and preserved the blade, which was transferred to the National Museum of Antiquities for display in May 2025.
A Rare Medieval Sword With Sacred Symbols Is Found In The Netherlands
On March 1, 2024, a dredger brought up a heap of clay during work to deepen the Korte Linschoten River in the Dutch province of Utrecht. Protruding from the clay was a long metal object, closer inspection of which revealed it to be a roughly three-foot sword.
During cleaning and research, experts found that the blade was likely forged between 1050 and 1150 C.E., based on the sword’s broad crossguard and Brazil nut-shaped pommel. Despite its age, though, the sword was in a remarkable state of preservation, with only the organic components — a wooden handle and leather wrappings — in any notable state of decay.
Ruben de Heer/National Museum of AntiquitiesThe full sword, still in an exceptional state of preservation.
X-ray examination showed, in fact, that the iron blade has barely corroded at all. It is still sharp on both sides, and the gold-colored inlay is clearly visible, showcasing circular patterns featuring a cross on one side and the “endless knot” symbol on the other.
The endless knot, while often associated with Celtic and later Viking art, also found its place in the broader artistic currents of medieval Europe, including the territories influenced by Germanic styles. This intricate, unbroken pattern symbolized concepts of eternity, continuity, and the interconnectedness of existence.
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