A sword dated to the Crusade period in Finland led archaeologists to identify an extensive medieval cemetery.Image: Riikka Saarinen / Turun Museokeskus
Posted on 10/22/2023 9:07:33 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
A large cemetery from the time of the Crusades was discovered near a medieval stone church in Salo Perttel, a former municipality in Finland.
A landowner in the municipality of Salo was looking over excavation work for the installation of geothermal pipes when he spotted an iron object poking out of a mound of dirt. He pulled it out and found himself holding a nearly complete He was reported to archaeologists from the University of Turku and the Turku Museum Centre.
The find has now led to the discovery of an extensive grave field, not far from the grey granite medieval church of Pertteli.
The sword was discovered with a bent blade, a bar-like straight hilt, and a three-sided oval pommel. The researchers believe that it dates from between AD 1050 and 1150, during the Crusader Era. The sword’s scabbard, additional blade fragments, iron objects, and human remains were also discovered in the soil pile by archaeologists.
One of the most notable finds is a leather belt with thirty square rosette-patterned bronze ornaments. This was found with a buckle, several end and animal head buckles, strap dividers, and parts of the leather still preserved.
This is the first confirmed discovery of a grave field dating to the end of the Iron Age in the Salonjoki river valley, according to the University of Turku.
The Crusader Era in Finland refers to the period when the First Swedish Crusade brought Christianity to Finland. Academics debate whether this crusade actually occurred because there is no supporting archaeological evidence and the earliest written sources date from the late 13th century.
(Excerpt) Read more at arkeonews.net ...
A sword dated to the Crusade period in Finland led archaeologists to identify an extensive medieval cemetery.Image: Riikka Saarinen / Turun Museokeskus
Nice read.
Finland used to be the most Lutheran country in the world.
I presume they were Catholic during the Crusades.
From memory, currently, a plurality of Finns are no longer religious.
A little Hoppes #9, some 0000 steel wool, and I’ll have that baby all shined up and ready to go!
The bend in the blade was to fight around corners. Ingenious!
Your detective skills rank right up there with the greats!
Elementary, my dear fini, elementary.
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