During an archaeological survey in Lilla Torg, Halmstad, Sweden, archaeologists unearthed a remarkably well-preserved, large medieval sword. This sword boasts a blade measuring over a meter long and was found in a tomb located beneath the floor of the south nave of the Church of St. Anne, where a sub-medieval convent once stood between 1494 and 1531.

The tomb containing the sword belonged to a man who stood 6 feet 3 inches tall, with the sword placed on his left side. This discovery was particularly unusual as swords are rarely found in medieval tombs, typically indicating burial of individuals from higher social classes.

Further exploration in the area revealed two additional tombs nearby within the south nave, where a woman and another man were interred. Interestingly, no other objects were preserved in these tombs, nor in the 49 tombs examined during the ongoing renovation of Lilla Torg, making the sword a unique find.

The discovery of the sword underscores the historical significance of the Church of St. Anne as a burial site for nobility during the period of the Franciscan order’s operation there. Following its excavation, the sword has been carefully removed from the ground and sent for conservation to ensure its preservation and facilitate further examination and study in a controlled environment.