2,000-year-old Celtic weapons unexpectedly discovered in lake in Poland, photos show

Archaeologists recently discovered Celtic artifacts in Poland that appear to have been part of an ancient ritual.

The objects were pulled from a lake in Kujawy, located about 230 miles southwest of Warsaw, according to a news release from Science in Poland.

Among the artifacts found were small fragments of sword sheaths and chain belts — on which weapons would’ve once been attached.

The excavated items date to the third century B.C., making them at least 2,200 years old, officials said.

Their finding is unexpected because, during that time period, no Celts were thought to have inhabited this region of Poland.

Archaeologists believe their placement in the lake was the result of a sacrificial deposit, officials said.

The Celts — an Indo-European people who lived across much of the European continent — were famous for leaving weapons and tools in places for deities.

They deposited them in rivers, lakes, rock crevices and difficult to reach places in the mountains.

Additional excavations are being planned for the lake, officials said.

The site’s exact location has been withheld to prevent it from being disturbed, but the location will likely be announced next year, when the research is finished.

Google Translate was used to translate a news release from Science in Poland.

This story was originally published June 18, 2024 at 7:27 AM with the headline "2,000-year-old Celtic weapons unexpectedly discovered in lake in Poland, photos show."