A rare and ancient sword nicknamed “Excalibur” was found in Valencia, Spain. The artifact, however, has no connection with King Arthur’s legendary weapon and was last wielded when part of Spanish territory was still controlled by Muslims, a new study reveals.
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What has been discovered about the Islamic sword
The 46-centimeter-long iron sword was found in an Islamic-era house near the ancient Roman forum.
The hilt is decorated with bronze plates and contains notches that make the sword easier to handle, experts revealed in a statement.
It was found in an upright position inside a tomb, hence the nickname in honor of King Arthur’s sword — who, according to medieval legend, pulled the sword from a stone and ascended the throne of Great Britain.
Archaeologist José Miguel Osuna, from the University of Granada, managed to date the weapon by studying the metallurgy and sediments where it was found.
Miguel determined that the sword was from the 10th century, when Valencia was under Muslim rule.
According to the expert, the size of the weapon and the lack of a hand guard suggest that it was used by a knight.
Sword nicknamed Excalibur dates from Spain’s Islamic period during the 10th century. (Image credit: Valencia City Council Archeology Service)
Rare find
The artifact is a rare find. According to the statement, it is the first sword from the Islamic period to be found in Valencia. The last Muslim state in Spain came to an end in 1492, when the emirate of Granada surrendered to King Ferdinand II of Aragon.
