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“First of its kind” Viking sword fragment discovered in the Netherlands A remarkable fragment of a Viking sword, described as a “first of its kind,” has been unearthed near the village of Witmarsum in the northern Netherlands. The artifact was identified as a pommel cap—a decorative endpiece from the hilt of a 10th-century gilded sword. The pommel cap features intricate designs in the Mammen style, an artistic tradition originating from the Danish town of Mammen and characterized by depictions of wild animals and curling patterns. The artifact is divided into five distinct sections, with the outer edges showcasing stylized wild boar heads. “The boars’ upward curling mouths are still clearly visible,” noted the Fries Museum in a Facebook post...