The incredible discovery was made by a treasure hunter Sander Visser while scanning a farmland in northern Netherlands.

Visser began digging the ground after hearing a distinctive beep from his machine – only to find a rare pommel cap buried just a few inches beneath the surface.

He donated the find to the Fries Museum, experts concluded the artefact – described as “first of its kind” – could be part of a 10th-century gilded sword.

The unique Viking-era artefact features intricate patterns in the Mammen style, a decorative art tradition that was said to be quite prevalent in the Viking culture.

The artefact is divided into five distinct sections, with the outer edges showcasing wild boar heads.

A spokesperson for Fries Museum said: “The boars upward curling mouths are still clearly visible.”

In Viking culture, wild boars symbolized strength, courage, and protection – the qualities often ᴀssociated with warfare.

The central section of the pommel cap has an intricate swirled knot design that experts say highlights the craftmanship of that ere.

Dr. Nelleke IJssennagger-van der Pluijm, director of the Fryske Akademy said in a statement: “This extraordinary find shows that there is still a lot to discover about the Viking Age in Frisia.

“It enriches our understanding of Viking and Frisian interactions.”

Experts have said the rare artefact, said to be of great symbolic value was often pᴀssed down by elite Viking fighters across generations.

The sword fragment is set to go on public display at the Fries Museum in 2025.

It comes after two Rookie “archaeologists” found an incredible collection of ancient Viking treasure with a “highly unusual” surprise on a tiny island.