Posted on 10/01/2008 3:26:01 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Swedish archaeologists have been captivated by a Bronze Age knife which was uncovered along with other artifacts from an excavation site near Falbygden in central Sweden.
The knife was discovered at the Firse Sten tomb in Falkoping and is in remarkably good condition, despite having been buried for thousands of years.
"It's a knife blade which ends in a handle that looks like the throat and head of a horse," said antiques expert Peter Jankavs from Falbygdens museum to Sveriges Radio.
The knife was found near the entrance to a 5,000-year-old tomb, although the knife itself is thought to be about 3,000-years-old, since the Stone Age burial site was later re-used by people from the Bronze Age.
The knife is so well preserved that its blade is still sharp.
"The edge is such that you can almost cut yourself on it," said Jankavs.
The excavation of the site has been underway for the past two weeks and involves archaeologists from both Falbygden and Vastergotland museums.
Following the conclusion of the dig, the artifacts will be put on display at Falbygden museum.
(Excerpt) Read more at thelocal.se ...
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Unexpectedly, it was still able to slice, dice and make thousands of julienne fries.
Stone 'monument' at Falbygden
In Sweden we know of ca 400 passage tombs, ca 66 % of these can be found here in Falbygden. Around Karleby there are 13 passage tombs. A passage tomb has a chamber and a passage way build by blocks of stone, and other blocks are placed as a roof.
The people buried in these graves during the Stone Age lived and farmed this land for a long time, ca 4500-5000 years ago.
During excavations done 1989-1992 archaeologists found remains of settlements. These remains are postholes, artefacts, animal bones etc. The excavations have given evidence regarding domesticated animals such as cows, sheep and pigs and what crops were cultivated, such as wheat and barley.
Fascinating.
“Now what would you expect to pay?!?” ;’)
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