Remarkable Bronze Age Sword Unearthed Under Mezzano Lake
On September 28, 2025, archaeologists uncovered an exceptionally well-preserved Bronze Age sword of the spada a lingua da presa type beneath Mezzano Lake in central Italy. This marks the third such find in the region since the 1970s, highlighting a rich concentration of Bronze Age weaponry and artifacts around a submerged prehistoric settlement. Mezzano Lake lies in northern Lazio, southwest of Lake Bolsena, and conceals remains of a pile-dwelling community that thrived between approximately 1700 and 1150 BCE.
Decades of Archaeological Exploration
Initial archaeological investigations began in the early 1970s and continued intermittently until the 1990s, before resuming again in 2025. During the latest fieldwork, more than 600 wooden piles were mapped at depths ranging from 2.5 to 10 meters. Researchers recovered over 25 bronze artifacts, including:
- axes
- spearheads
- fibulae (brooches)
- rings
- pins
- sickles
The discoveries also featured swords, razors, and fragments of bronze ingots, indicating active metalworking within the settlement. Some items showed evidence of exposure to fire, while the site experienced fluctuating water levels over a 600-year period.
Two previously found swords from the eastern shore of the lake are currently housed at the Tuscia Prehistory and Farnese Rocks Museum in Valentano. One of these blades lacked the necessary tempering for combat use and is believed to have served a ritualistic rather than martial purpose. Alongside metal objects, excavations have uncovered pottery, wooden artifacts, animal remains, whetstones, and wooden beams used in construction. The low-oxygen clay surrounding the site has played a crucial role in preserving these materials. Earlier artifacts tend to be located deeper in the lake, while more recent ones are found closer to today’s shoreline.
In addition to findings beneath Mezzano Lake, chemical analysis has authenticated a 12th-century sword housed in the Montesiepi Chapel in Siena. This sword is linked to Saint Galgano Guidotti, born in 1148, who famously embedded his sword into a stone as a symbol of his renunciation of violence. These discoveries collectively open new avenues for understanding Bronze Age culture and craftsmanship.
The artifacts recovered from Mezzano Lake provide invaluable insights into the technological advancements and social structures of Bronze Age Italy. They shed light on the community’s metalworking skills, trade connections, religious customs, and daily life, as well as the environmental changes that shaped their world across centuries. This site remains a key source for studying prehistoric human adaptation and cultural evolution in the region.
The discovery of the Bronze Age sword under Mezzano Lake adds to the growing list of significant archaeological finds in Italy. Similarly, a recently unearthed 11th-century sword sheath tip in Poland underscores the importance of preserving our historical artifacts. Such discoveries not only enrich our understanding of ancient cultures but also highlight the intricate craftsmanship of past civilizations.