Sword linked to Nelson found by archaeologist

Archaeologist Adam Brumm, accustomed to excavating ancient tools and cave paintings, is now captivated by a much younger artifact: a sword nearly as long as his arm. This elaborately carved kris, with a broad, wavy blade resembling a flickering flame, was acquired by Brumm from a collector who found it at a Brisbane gun show in the late 1980s.

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my god. The bad guys in GI Joe, it looks like one of the weapons they would use, or an orc from Lord of the Rings.

Brumm's excitement stems not just from the sword's striking appearance, which one observer likened to a weapon from "GI Joe" or "Lord of the Rings," but from a faded scrap of paper attached to its sheath. The inscription suggests the weapon was a gift from "the [illegible] of Timor to Admiral Lord Nelson." If authenticated, this connection to Britain's famed naval hero would elevate the sword to an exceptionally rare and valuable historical piece.

The kris itself carries a rich, albeit potentially violent, history. Its wavy blade is thought to be more effective in combat, designed for easier removal from a body. The sword's lineage may stretch back to the Moro people, known for their large kris swords, and potentially to fierce maritime raiders who operated in Southeast Asia for centuries. Its journey might also include a role in the development of an American pistol and a voyage on the ship that completed the first circumnavigation of mainland Australia.

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a present from the [illegible] of Timor to Admiral Lord Nelson.

While typically kris are dagger-sized and often ceremonial, this larger example was clearly crafted for warfare. The sword's pommel is carved into a cockatoo's head, adding to its unique artistry. The artifact's potential link to Nelson, combined with its own adventurous past, makes it a compelling subject for Brumm's archaeological focus.

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Kris are like a wife, or a second wife.