Examen metalográfico de la espada no. 438 en el marco de un estudio sistemático de las espadas de la fortaleza bajomedieval de Mikulčice, República Checa

Jiří Hošek; Jiří Košta; Patrick Bárta

doi:10.3989/gladius.2012.0005

Authors

Jiří Hošek Archaeometallurgist; Institute of Archaeology of the AS CR
Jiří Košta Archaeologist; National Museum
Patrick Bárta Swordsmith; Templ – replicas of historical arms

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/gladius.2012.0005

Keywords:

Archaeometallurgy, Metallography, Early Medieval sword, Blade inscription, Great Moravia, Mikulčice

Abstract

The paper deals with a metallographic examination of a sword from grave No. 438, which was uncovered at the site of Mikulčice (Hodonín county), a former early medieval stronghold in Moravia (Czech Republic). Mikulčice was one of the main power centres of the Great Moravia – the first state formed by Slavs north of the Danube River – which was created in the first third of the 9th century and ended at the beginning of the 10th century. The sword, provided with a single flattened hemispherical pommel (Petersen X type), has a blade bearing an inscription that is no longer legible. According to the results of metallographic examination, the blade was hardened and consists of steel cutting edges welded on a core, which was composed of steel side-plates and a middle strip of iron or low-carbon steel. It was an excellent sword, undoubtedly one of the best swords excavated in Mikulčice.

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