Bronze Age hoard with shattered sword uncovered during Czech railway works

During archaeological monitoring linked to a railway project near Kojetín in central Moravia, the Archaeological Center Olomouc uncovered a Bronze Age hoard containing eight misshapen sickles, one intact sickle, a fragment of a sword blade, decorative fragments, three metal ingots and two unfinished items. Analysis of wear patterns showed the objects had been employed before being intentionally broken, with the sword exhibiting a single, forceful strike likely delivered by a chisel or axe.

Lead archaeologist Vít Záhorák highlighted that metal-detecting surveys were crucial for the discovery, given the site's history as a large prehistoric settlement. The team believes the items were purposefully placed in the former wetland as part of a ritual practice, a pattern seen at other Bronze Age sites. Conservation work is underway, and further specialist studies aim to clarify the hoard's cultural significance. This find follows other recent Czech archaeological discoveries linked to infrastructure projects.