During underwater archaeological research conducted in Lake Mezzano, located in central Italy, a well-preserved bronze sword dating back to the Bronze Age was discovered.
Sea-news.az reports that this was shared on the Facebook page of the authority responsible for the protection of the region’s archaeological heritage.
The sword was discovered on September 28 along the shores of the lake, located in a volcanic area in northern Lazio. This marks the third sword recovered from the bottom of Lake Mezzano since the 1970s.
The lakebed houses the remains of a Bronze Age stilt settlement that existed approximately between 1700 and 1150 BCE. Archaeologists have identified the locations of over 600 wooden piles on the lake floor. However, it is reported that this number covers only about one-third of the settlement.
Along with the possibility that the swords fell into the lake by accident, archaeologists are also investigating whether they were cast into the water for ritualistic purposes.
In addition to metal artifacts, Lake Mezzano represents an important research site for archaeologists due to the preservation of ceramics, wooden objects, animal bones, millstones, and structural elements.
The presence of an oxygen-deprived clay layer at the bottom of the lake created favorable conditions for the preservation of various items, particularly bronze artifacts, in excellent condition.
