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'The blade of the sword was still sharp': Lost metal detectorist discovers Bronze Age sword and ax in UK

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A metal detectorist in the United Kingdom recently uncovered a Bronze Age hoard that includes a sword, an ax head and jewelry.

John Belgrove made the discovery after becoming separated from a group of fellow metal detectorists during a treasure-hunting event in Dorset, a county in southwest England, The Guardian reported.

As he walked to higher ground to look for his peers, his device suddenly alerted him to a find.

"It was clear there was metal there, but I thought it would just be an old can or something," Belgrove told The Guardian. "I dug about eight inches [20 centimeters] down and found an odd-shaped object that was caked in clay."

That mystery item turned out to be a 2-foot-long (61 centimeters) rapier sword that had been broken into three pieces, likely deliberately. The sword's bronze hilt, or handle — which Belgrove described as "exceptional" — was crafted to resemble wood. The weapon is one of only three known swords of this style found in Britain.

Related: Viking sword with 'very rare' inscription discovered on family farm in Norway

Further digging unearthed a decorative arm bangle and a metal palstave ax head, a common Bronze Age tool that would have been attached to a wooden handle.

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