Ein hochmittelalterliches Schwert aus dem Rhein bei Bonn- eine archäologische Entdeckung

Abstract

In summer 2003 a chance find was made in the dried out area of the Rhine near Bonn. After a closer look the object was identified as a medieval sword, which was bought by the LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn. The paper offers a detailed description of the sword and the considerable restoration measures, as well as the results of material analyses regarding the determination of the types of wood from the remains of the sword-sheath and the metal analyses of the pommel. Based upon typological characteristics, comparative investigation of various swords in European collections and using medieval depictions and sculptures the piece was established historically and dated to the end of the 13th century. The results presented come from the interdisciplinary collaboration of restoration, natural sciences and art-history.