A Viking sword from the 9th to 10th centuries was accidentally discovered a few days ago at the bottom of the Vistula River in Włocławek. According to experts, this is an extraordinary find, as only thirteen weapons of this type have been found in Poland until now. The sword has been handed over for preservation to the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.
During the dredging of the harbor basin on Piwna Street in Włocławek, a sword from the 9th-10th century, likely belonging to a Viking due to the inscription ULFBERHT, was unearthed from the bottom of Poland’s longest river.
Provincial curator Sambor Gawinski stated on Wednesday in Toruń that around 170 Ulfberht swords have been found in Europe, most likely 177.
Between the 9th and 11th centuries, a type of sword with a trademark became popular in northern Europe and Scandinavia, signifying both the quality of the steel it was made of and its origin.
They are called Ulfberht swords because they all bear the inscription +VLFBERHT+ or variants thereof, a Frankish name possibly initially used by a single manufacturer, later perpetuated as a mark of quality.
Interesting that it is transitional between the ancient swords and the classic medieval.
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Viking “Ulfberht” 9th Century Sword Recovered from Vistula River in Poland