Sword found in Hungary mistaken for replica, turns out to be 3,000 years old
One of the most well-known items on display at Chicago’s Field Museum is a Bronze Age sword found in Hungary, long believed to be a replica—but recent analyses have revealed it to be a genuine 3,000-year-old artifact.
Archaeologists from Hungary originally discovered the sword in the 1930s in the Danube River near Budapest, but during its shipment to the United States, it was mistakenly labeled a copy.
The breakthrough came thanks to an archaeologist from Hungary, who was involved in curating the museum’s upcoming exhibition, First Kings of Europe, who began to suspect the sword might be authentic.
Field Museum experts conducted a material analysis using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), determining that the alloy—composed of copper, tin, and trace elements—perfectly matches that of weapons from the Late Bronze Age, dating roughly between 1080 and 900 BCE, according to Ancient Origins.
This discovery not only rewrites the story of the sword itself but also highlights the cultural richness of the Bronze Age Carpathian Basin. According to archaeologist Gábor Szabó of Eötvös Loránd University, Late Bronze Age communities in the region “produced perhaps the most vibrant and populous assemblages” of the pre-Roman era.
These collections include a wide range of weapons, jewelry, and tools, offering valuable insight into daily life, warfare, and ritual practices. Experts believe the sword was likely used in combat or may have been ritually thrown into the Danube after a battle to honor fallen warriors—a practice known across many European cultures.
What makes this discovery especially remarkable is the rarity of museum-labeled “replicas” turning out to be historically significant original artifacts. The sword is now on display in the Field Museum’s main hall and will soon take center stage in the First Kings of Europe exhibition.
This story is a testament to how archaeology and modern technology can shed new light on ancient mysteries and reshape our understanding of historical objects. The rediscovery adds an important piece to Hungary’s Bronze Age legacy and contributes to a deeper knowledge of European history.
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