Scientists from the Nara Archaeological Research Center (Japan) discovered a two-meter sword during excavations in a 1600-year-old tomb. The finding was reported by Kyodo News.
The sword was discovered during the excavation of the Tomio Maruyama mound at the end of November. The weapon refers to “dako” swords with a wavy blade. Previously, similar swords were found in other ancient Japanese burials, but they were all at least half the size of the new one: its length is 2.3 meters.
Most of the iron sword is heavily worn on the ground after 16 centuries (a copy is shown in the photo), but X-rays made it possible to determine its shape and size. Along with other objects found near Nara, this sword represents a masterpiece of metalworking.
Scholars suggest that the sword had a ceremonial rather than a martial function. Its size did not allow it to be used in battle. Maybe it’s to protect the dead from evil spirits. As the authors of the find note, in the following centuries there was a tradition in Japan of offering huge swords to gods or powerful spirits. Many are still kept in Shinto shrines and treasury in Buddhist temples.
The mound with the sword is considered one of the largest in Japan: more than 100 meters in diameter and more than 10 meters in height. A sarcophagus was found in the tomb, but no human remains. Scholars believe that the burial belonged to a noble connected to the Yamato imperial family.