The ornate weapon, hailed as a “sensational find” by the local museum in Kamień Pomorski on the Baltic coast, had been presented as nearly 3,000 years old. However, a group of nine scholars from Poland and abroad has disputed the claim, citing stylistic and metallurgical inconsistencies in the object’s design.
In a joint article published in the journal Archeologia Żywa, experts noted the dagger’s blade shape and decorative features—such as Maltese-like crosses and half-circles—differ significantly from artifacts dating to the Early Iron Age. The authors suggest the piece more likely comes from the Southern Mediterranean region, possibly in the 18th or 19th century.
The museum has since acknowledged the criticism, with Director Grzegorz Kurka admitting, “We should not form theories on the spot.” He also denounced what he called “social media hate” directed toward both the museum and the individuals who initially announced the discovery.
“This situation shows how important it is to check academic information carefully before announcing it,” said Dr. Radosław Biel, editor of Archeologia Żywa. He emphasized the need for caution in publicizing unverified finds to avoid confusion and maintain public trust in scientific discourse.
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Source: Polsat News, RMF24