The famous mythical legend of King Arthur recounts that he, with great prowess, withdrew the magical Excalibur sword from its stone forging. This legendary tale has captivated imaginations for centuries, symbolizing the extraordinary destiny and noble leadership of the renowned king.
In a remarkable parallel to the fabled tale, archaeologists have recently unearthed a 700-year-old weapon firmly lodged in a rock at the depths of a lake. This astonishing discovery occurred in the Vrbas River, near the village of Rakovice in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Imbedded within a solid piece of rock, 36 feet below the water’s surface, the sword had been ensnared for an extended period. In light of its extraordinary circumstances, this ancient artifact has been affectionately named ‘Excalibur,’ drawing a direct connection to the legendary tale of King Arthur.
The medieval discovery is now being hailed as a significant archaeological breakthrough by weapons experts.
Ivana Pandzic, an archaeologist and curator at the Museum of the Republika Srpska, emphasized the delicate process required to liberate the corroded weapon.
“Due to being firmly embedded in solid rock, special precautions were necessary during the extraction,” she explained. “The fact that this is the first sword ever found near the medieval city of Zvečaj adds to its value, both in terms of scientific research and historical significance.”
Ivana Pandzic further revealed that, remarkably, only one other sword from the same time period has been discovered in the Balkans within the past 90 years.
Detailed examination of the blade has provided insights into its age, placing it between the late 13th century and the early 15th century.
The sword was found in close proximity to the ruins of a medieval castle in the city of Zvecaj, which once served as the seat of Bosnian rulers.
During its heyday, the medieval village of Zvecaj boasted its own noble class and flourished around the now-ruined castle situated on the left bank of the Mreznica River, within the present-day Karlovac County.
Having endured a tumultuous history, the castle met its demise in 1777. Today, a private residence stands atop the castle’s ruins, with remnants of the original tower still visible, serving as a testament to its past glory.
While many mythologists and historians interpret the legend of King Arthur’s Excalibur as a metaphorical representation of extracting iron ore from stone, it is intriguing to note that real-world instances of medieval swords found lodged in stones do exist. A notable example is the sword embedded in a stone at Tuscany’s Montesiepi Chapel.
In light of this discovery, historians are currently engaged in unraveling the mysteries surrounding how and why these swords became firmly embedded in the rocks. By delving into the historical context, examining the surrounding archaeological evidence, and considering possible cultural and symbolic significance, they aim to shed light on the circumstances that led to these swords being thrust into stones. This investigation holds the potential to provide valuable insights into the practices, beliefs, and events of the medieval era.
