Blackbeard's sword?

[aletheiafelinea]

A few days ago, National Geographic wrote about the recently found artifact.
A sword hilt with the antler handle and gilded guard was just found in the Queen Anne's Revenge wreck (I wrote about this archaeological site here).

Comments

[anteros_lmc]

Fascinating! Thanks for posting.

I have always thought that Queen Anne's Revenge is an absolutely splendid name for a ship!

[aletheiafelinea]

I wonder what Queen Anne's opinion would be. :D

And as to the sword, isn't it the Fate's smirk, that antler turned out more durable than steel? ;)

[anteros_lmc]

Antler is actually surprisingly durable, where as steel, iron etc are very unstable metals. Their corrosion products are greater in bulk than the metal itself so once a steel or iron artefact starts to corrode it breaks up very quickly. I used to work as an archaeological conservator but sadly never had a pirate sword to deal with!

[aletheiafelinea]

Antler is actually surprisingly durable, where as steel, iron etc are very unstable metals.
What's even more ironic, that steel is considered a symbol of resistance and strength, when antler serves to a deer only one season. The Nature is amazing.

As to state of the sword, there is so many unknowns which can also be important, aren't they? It could be dropped onboard in a battle or wrapped safely in a chest. The blade could be even broken before sinking! I'd like a some interesting story for it, but I reckon that being a part of pirate loot is a story itself. Same as working as an archeological conservator even in lack of pirate swords. ;)

[grace_poppy]

Oh cool! I got to hold that recently when I visited.

[aletheiafelinea]

Huh? You mean, you were at QAR wreck or in the North Carolina museum?