During a swim, a Polish museum employee discovered an ancient sword in the river (photo).

The Army Museum in Białystok, Poland, has recently enhanced its collection with a rare early medieval Viking-type sword, dated to the 9th or 10th century. This discovery was made by a museum employee while swimming in the Supraśl River, writes Arkeonews.

The sword, found by museum staff member Szczepan Skibicki, is one of the few similar artifacts uncovered in Poland. Skibicki stumbled upon the relic during a dive in a bend of the river, where erosion had exposed sand deposits.

Recalling that moment, he said: "At a depth of about 120 cm, I noticed an intriguing object, which turned out to be a sword! That was the first and last time I screamed with joy underwater." Thanks to his expertise, Skibicki was able to secure the relic and notify the appropriate authorities.

Experts believe that the sword may be linked to the Vikings or Baltic cultures, based on its craftsmanship. Although Viking activities in Poland were limited, historical evidence points to their presence in key commercial and administrative centers during that period.

The unique design of the hilt reflects Viking influence while also hinting at a possible contribution from the Baltic community. Dr. Ryszard Kazimierski from Nicolaus Copernicus University described the sword as "unique due to its shape, contours, and preservation of organic material visible on the hilt."

The blade itself shows visible signs of conflict, such as micro-cracks, scratches, and splinters, likely from combat use. According to Robert Sadowski, the director of the Army Museum, the middle part of the sword has undergone significant wear, as it absorbed most of the blows during battle. These details provide insight into the sword's history and the turbulent times in which it was used.

After its discovery, the sword was registered under the supervision of the provincial conservator of monuments before becoming part of the Army Museum's collection. Conservation efforts led by specialists from the Institute of Archaeology at Nicolaus Copernicus University have ensured the preservation of this extraordinary artifact for future generations.

We also reported on over 100 medieval figurines that archaeologists unearthed in Berlin.