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This story has me feeling really sceptical. A metal object that survived rust in seawater, not found by someone exploring a wreck but simply lying on the sea fl
by OscarCunningham 5y ago
This story has me feeling really sceptical. A metal object that survived rust in seawater, not found by someone exploring a wreck but simply lying on the sea floor, and it's an exciting weapon rather than a boring everyday object. Can anyone with more expertise tell me if I'm wrong to be doubtful?
- echelon 5y agoThis sort of discovery happens relatively every few years or so. https://skjalden.com/ancient-sword-found-in-vidostern-sweden/ https://skjalden.com/ancient-sword-found-in-vidostern-sweden... Etc. Almost every couple of years. No idea of they're all legitimate, but it appears there is a distribution of undiscovered discarded swords.
- foxyv 5y agoIf the object is made of one metal only, then it won't corrode as quickly due to a lack of galvanic reaction. In addition, if it can be covered by a thin oxide layer early on then it can be preserved longer. 900 year old iron in seawater isn't unthinkable. In addition, due to the inclusion of carbon into the iron by the smelting process, it is very easy to radiocarbon date up to 50,000 year old objects and verify their true age.
- peanut_worm 5y agoWere swords not an every-day object back then? I would imagine almost anyone with a position of authority back then would own a sword.