FfFfFfFF 58,144 Posted December 20, 2021 Share Posted December 20, 2021 Archaeologists in Scotland have revealed the ornate hilt of a Viking sword after scanning it with X-rays. The sword is highly corroded and covered in dirt, but the new images show the weapon in a new light and reveal its striking design. The sword is part of a hoard of Viking treasures unearthed at a burial site on Papa Westray, one of the Orkney Islands located north of mainland Scotland. The site likely dates back to the first-generation Norwegian settlers, who came to the Orkney Islands during the 10th century, according to Historic Environment Scotland. The sword was in very poor condition, and archaeologists were scared that removing the rust and dirt would irreparably damage the sword. The only way the researchers could see what the sword originally looked like was to analyze it using X-rays. The team released the first X-ray image of the sword on Dec. 7. This type of sword, called a Pedersen Type D, is the "heaviest from the Viking Age" and required a "substantial hilt to stabilize them," the researchers wrote. "We know of at least 30 of these blades throughout the Viking world," they added. "Approximately half have been found in Norway, with others discovered as far west as Dublin, and as far east as Slovakia, Poland and Russia." Source - https://www.livescience.com/viking-sword-x-ray-analysis Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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