2,300-year-old sword with modern political symbol found in France: Scientists shocked
2,300-year-old sword (photo: INRAP)
Archaeology surprises once again: in southern France, two unique Celtic swords over 2,300 years old have been discovered. One of them has drawn special attention from researchers - its scabbard is decorated with images of a notorious modern symbol.
Live Science reports what exactly archaeologists found in this necropolis and what the ancient weapon might reveal.
Two swords preserved through the ages
These artifacts date back to the Second Iron Age and were discovered in a large burial complex near the town of Creuzier-le-Neuf. Both swords were found in exceptional condition, with their scabbards intact.
One of them features copper-bronze detailing, an elegant design, and is decorated with several polished stones. At least two of these stones bear swastika symbols, crafted with remarkable precision.
According to archaeologist Vincent Georges, the Celts borrowed this symbol from Mediterranean cultures as early as the 5th century BCE. However, its exact meaning for the Celts remains a mystery. Despite its modern associations, the swastika in ancient times was a symbol of abundance and the cyclical nature of life.
This is what the sword found in France looks like (photo: INRAP)
Necropolis without bones, but with ornaments
The excavation covered an area of more than 650 square meters and revealed over a hundred tombs. Due to the high acidity of the soil, no skeletal remains were preserved, but archaeologists found many ornaments. Nearly half of the burials contained metal artifacts: bracelets, clasps, and jewelry.
One clasp stands out in particular - a shiny stone is set at its center, surrounded by silvered reliefs. Another piece of jewelry is decorated with so-called ocelli - eye-shaped patterns that were considered fashionable ornamentation among Celtic craftsmen. These adornments date back to the 4th–3rd centuries BCE.
For a find of such age, the sword is in remarkable condition (photo: INRAP)
Celtic tribes and ancient symbols
At that time, Cressieu-le-Neuf was a crossroads for the territories of three powerful Celtic tribes - the Arverni, the Aedui, and the Bituriges. Today, it's a small town with a population of just 1,500 people, but its history runs deep.
The necropolis has become a kind of window into the past, where each discovery tells a story about the beliefs, art, and daily life of ancient peoples. Weapons, jewelry, pottery - all of it reflects a high level of craftsmanship and the symbolic significance of objects. Even a simple pattern could carry deep meaning or serve a protective purpose. And who knows what other secrets still lie hidden beneath the earth?
