The sword appears to have connections to the Viking Age, an era that spanned from about 800 to 1050 C.E. During this time, Vikings conducted raids throughout Europe and landed in Poland.

Each year they prepare obsessively for Up Helly Aa, assembling, plank by plank, a replica of a Viking ship. Bristling with spears and swords, Viking and Slav reenactors face off in a mock battle ...