An unnamed landowner approached local archaeologists about the partially bent weapon with an oval handle and flat crossguard. Radiocarbon dating dated the artifact to between 1050 and 1150 AD, the researchers said in a statement. It is a typical example of the swords used by Swedish crusaders when going to war.

Sword of the Crusaders

There were Swedish crusades A series of religious raids occurred between the 12th and 13th centuries.. The aim of the raids launched by the Roman Catholic Church and the Swedish crown was to gain control of the territory of modern Finland. These wars were called “crusades” since the 19th century, and most likely the first of the three wars was mythological and did not take place in reality.

Juha Ruohonen, archaeologist and lecturer at the Department of Archeology and History of Finland at the University of Turku, says: An x-ray of the sword revealed that it bore an inscription that archaeologists believe read “in the name of Jesus Christ.”.

While exploring the area, archaeologists came across another discovery: an ancient cemetery located in the same area as the medieval stone church. A grave from this period was found for the first time in the Salo region of Finland.

The location of this site close to a medieval stone church may be seen as evidence of a much older religious organization in this region than previously thought. It is believed that the Pertteli neighborhood was founded in the 15th century with the foundation of the Uskel chapel.
– says Ruohonen.

During the excavation, archaeologists discovered numerous artifacts believed to be part of a single grave: human bones, fragments of another sword, wooden fragments of the coffin, cross-shaped pendants and a leather belt decorated with 30 bronze ornaments in a rosette pattern. “The entire belt also contains a buckle, several handles, animal head-shaped decorations and belt dividers. The leather parts of the belt are partially preserved. In addition, many attached pieces of fabric, remnants of the deceased’s clothing, can still be seen in the bronze decorations.”– added Ruohonen in his statement.

One of the bronze ornaments of the arch / Photo: Juha Ruohonen/University of Turku

Radiocarbon analysis of the bones is currently ongoing but the results will not be ready until January.

Archaeologists have discovered eight graves in this area so far, but they believe that There may be between 12 and 200 graves here in total..