A student archaeologist found this strange object during excavations . The object was in terrible condition and fully mineralized . Specialists spent 9 months on the restoration and were shocked when they realized what it really was .

How the strange object looked after restoration and what it actually was can be found via the link in the comments 

In 2019, during an archaeological excavation at a Roman cemetery in Alten-am-See, near Münster (Germany), a Roman combat dagger (lat. pugio) was found, dated to around the 1st century AD.

The discovery was made by a student who participated in the official excavations.

The dagger was found in a destroyed tomb chamber, presumably belonging to a Roman legionary. Given the rarity of such finds in such good condition, the discovery immediately caught the attention of specialists.

The dagger was heavily mineralized and surrounded by a dense layer of soil. Its length was about 30 cm. In addition to the blade, fragments of the scabbard with decorative elements of silver and brass were also found.

This suggested that the object did not belong to an ordinary soldier, but possibly to someone of a higher military rank.

Over nine months, the dagger and scabbard underwent careful restoration.

Before cleaning began, the object underwent X-ray and CT scans, which allowed specialists to examine its internal structure without risking damage to the artifact.

The examination showed that the blade was made from several types of steel, typical of early Roman blacksmithing.

There were also signs of active use: damage and wear, especially near the tip.

The shape of the blade and its structural features classify it as a “Vindonissa” type – an early variant of Roman daggers, named after a Roman camp in present-day Switzerland.

These daggers were known for their narrow, sturdy blade, which was suitable both for combat and for practical tasks.

After restoration, the dagger became part of the museum collection and holds significant value.