THIS PAPER APPROACHES THE modern reconstruction of a double-edged spatha found in the early medieval cemetery of Beckum (North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany), grave 68. The burial can be dated to the middle of the sixth century A.D. Information about the construction of the pattern-welded blade and the forged metal components were gathered mainly with computed tomography scans as well as metallographic and chemical analyses. These examinations proved that the weapon was of elaborate manufacturing quality and consisted of low carbon steel (for the cutting edges) and phosphoric iron as well as pure iron (for the composite rods).

All the metal used for the modern reconstruction of the Beckum blade was produced in a bloomery furnace. Its chemical composition was verified with mobile X-ray fluorescence analysis. The replica gives a realistic impression of the once existing state of the Beckum sword. It matches the archaeological find not only in overall measurements and surface patterns, but also in constructional details like the number of layers and twists of the composite rods. As a result, it becomes clear that the structure of the composite rods must have been more complex than is generally accepted. The immense amount of labour required and metal and fuel consumed shows that the status of these early medieval weapons, as well as the skill of the contemporary smiths, cannot be overestimated.

The pattern-welded double-edged sword of the early Middle Ages, the so-called spatha, has been scientifically examined for quite a long time. While archaeologists have concentrated mostly on typological and chronological matters, the construction, material properties and manufacturing process of these blades were also analysed, often by natural scientists and conservators. Due to modern examination methods, primarily X-ray computed tomography (see below) and detailed studies (such as the brilliant analysis of a double-edged sword from Neudingen), the secrets involved in the production of an early medieval spatha have been gradually and increasingly revealed. Despite several attempts, however, a modern reconstruction which remained true to the original as far as the alloys used and visibility of patterns on the blade were concerned had not been created. This was the task for the following archaeological experiment.