An archaeologist's dream come true

Hi sword people.

Maybe some of you have fantasised about being an archaeologist at one point in their lives. Maybe after having watched an Indiana Jones movie when you were a kid (certainly not when you were older – I always cringe when I see Indy using medieval textiles from a crusader's tomb to make torches!). Maybe you actually are an archaeologist.

Well, I for one would always dream of making the kind of discovery a team of archaeologists made during field work in the Judean desert. In a cave crevice north of Ein Gedi oasis high above the western shore of the Dead Sea, they found four Roman swords, three of them still in their scabbards, plus a pilum (that is a Roman spear). A coin dates the finds to the time of the Bar Kochba rebellion which took place 132–135 AD. So the the weapons may have been hidden by Jewish rebels.

This is so cool: finding perfectly preserved swords & scabbards. Very rare, very exciting.

There was a lot of news coverage. Here is National Geographic's online story with great photos and video clips. And this one contains some more photos of the find location.

Warning: Picking up swords at an archaeological site can be risky …​

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Step-by-step Sword Geometry

Last week I presented the geometric layout of sword W 1835 from the collection of the Deutsches Historisches Museum in Berlin.

Today I will go through the various steps of construction one by one. I have also compiled a little PDF for you to download for free. Find it attached to my respective post.

Go to post & pdf

Plus, if you have ever wondered if maybe geometry may have been used to design, say, some of the stunning finds from the famous Anglo-Saxon Sutton Hoo ship burial, take a look at this compelling post from the formidable Thegns of Mercia living history and research group.

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Special Offer Expires in a few Hours

Last chance to benefit from a 40% discount: Save $200 on our I.33 online course before the special offer is gone.

Get your course now!

Cornelius and I would love to share our experience with you, and we hope to meet and fence you at one point. And have a chat and some drinks afterwards. Until then:

​Sword out, shield up – and enjoy your training!​

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So, that's it for today. Take care, and keep your blade well-honed.

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If you wish to read more, find hundreds of related posts on my Patreon. Special thanks to all my loyal supporters on Patreon – you keep me going! And if you are not a patron yet, you are most welcome to join.

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Yours,

Roland

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