Medieval sword found in Spanish castle

Archaeologists have discovered a 700-Year-old sword in perfect condition during their second season of work in the medieval castle of Ain in the Spanish region of Castellón.

Credit: Ain City Council

The team of archaeologists said that a discovery of this kind of artefact in such a beautiful state of conservation was "extremely unusual".

The sword is 94 cm long, has a 13 cm wide guard and a spherical pommel. There are two bronze rivets on the handle and a groove in the centre of the blade.

Credit: Ain City Council

"Due to its typology and archaeological context, the sword likely dates to the 14th century and was probably preserved as a result of the destruction of the castle during the War of the Two Peters (1356-1367)", according to a statement from the Territorial Service of Culture and Sport of Castellón.

The discovery is part of the second phase of the project to excavate and consolidate the castle of Aín, aimed at "preventing the growing deterioration of this monument, guaranteeing its stability and allowing it to be valued as a cultural resource of the first order".

Credit: Ain City Council

The castle has Muslim origins and was one of the most important locations during the Moorish rebellion in the area in the 16th century. The most interesting aspects of the site today are a tower and scattered walled enclosures.

Source: EFE [January 07, 2019]