The sword was discovered in Suzdal Opolye, and the ornament on its hilt, hidden under a layer of corrosion, disappeared over time.
The press service explained that experts from the Kurchatov Institute used the synchrotron imaging method, which allowed them to study the decor in the surface layers of the sword. Beneath the corrosion lies the decorative coating, which consists of a high standard of brass, copper and silver, as well as non-ferrous metals, including traces of aluminium, gold and bismuth.
This ancient sword was not just a weapon, but also served as an indicator of the social status of its owner. Comparison of the decoration with known counterparts helped researchers date the artifact to the mid-to-second half of the 10th century and determine its type as a West Norwegian sword, the press service said.
Source: Ferra
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