Norwegians find well-preserved Viking-era sword

A Norwegian archaeologist says a well-preserved, if rusty, iron sword dating to the Viking era has been found in southern Norway.

A sword found in the mountains of Norway belonged to a Viking who died more than 1,000 years ago 
[Credit: Espen Finstad, Secrets of the Ice/Oppland County Council]

Lars Holger Piloe says the nearly one-meter-long (3-foot) sword was found slid down between rocks with the blade sticking out, and may have been left by a person who got lost in a blizzard and died on the mountain from exposure.

Einar Åmbakk holding the sword, just moments after it was discovered 
[Credit: Espen Finstad, Secrets of the Ice/Oppland County Council]

Piloe said Thursday the sword, dating from about 850-950 A.D., was found in Lesja, some 275 kilometers (170 miles) north of Oslo.

Piloe said the sword's preservation was likely due to the quality of the iron, as well as the cold, dry conditions. It was found in late August by two men who were on a reindeer hunt some 1,640 meters (1 mile) above sea level.

Source: The Associated Press [September 14, 2017]