The virtual reconstruction of an early medieval folded sickle from Nasielsk

During archaeological research carried out in Nasielsk, Poland in 2006 by Dr. M. Błoński, a fragment of an ornamented sickle handle was found. It most likely dates to the 2nd half of the 10th century, but may have been made as late as the mid-11th century. The sickle with a movable blade is interpreted as belonging to the equipment of an elite horse warrior. Many finds of this type known from unusual medieval deposits suggests their special, symbolic meaning and a connection with the military sphere. The artefact is ornamented with a variation of the Borre ring-chain pattern – specifically, the Pomeranian school of Scandinavian-Insular decoration. The origins of this style emerged in the 10th century with the combining of Celtic, English, and Scandinavian elements – and it was developed intensively in western Pomerania. The artefact from Nasielsk has only partially survived. The preserved fragment of the handle was 3D scanned using a structured light scanner and photogrammetry software. In order to make a 3D reconstruction, documentation of a second, not available fragment was also used. Moreover, certain analogies from early medieval folded sickles were analyzed. The most important questions concerned the shape of the blade, the continuation of the ornament, its design features, and a proper visualization of the reconstruction.