Suontaka sword

The Suontaka sword (Finnish: Suontaan miekka) was found in a woman's grave in Tyrväntö, Finland in 1968.[1] It is known that the grave dates approximately from 1030 AD and the sword has probably been in use in 10th century. The sword was made with grip and hilt entirely in hollow cast bronze.[2] The sword blade contains texts +NMIN+ and +NIOIN+, which can be variations of the text "in the name of God".[2] The sword is considered to be a unique work of art for its time.

Decorations in the bronze hilt of the sword.[3]
The Suontaka Sword (center) in the National Museum of Finland in 2017.

The grave where the sword was found also included a full jewelry set and another sword and other miscellaneous items. Suontaka village is in Häme, Finland. This area of Häme is known for its numerous sword-findings. The time during which the sword was in use was a prosperous yet violent time in the Häme region. The original sword is in display in the National Museum of Finland.

References
  1. Sword Found in a Woman's Grave in Suontaka Finland, Sword-Site
  2. Moilanen, Mikko (2018). Viikinkimiekat Suomessa. Suomalaisen kirjallisuuden seura. p. 185. ISBN 9789522229649.
  3. "miekka". www.finna.fi. Retrieved 2019-12-30.
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