A remarkably well-preserved Viking sword, one of only a few discovered in the Netherlands, is now on exhibit at the Stadsmuseum Doetinchem. The sword dates back to 855 AD and was found in the Oude IJssel river in the 1950s during dredging work. While Viking swords are found more commonly elsewhere, Dutch discoveries are scarce, with the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden holding another example from a later period. The sword underwent eight months of conservation treatment to remove rust and reveal intricate details on its hilt. Museum director Isabelle Bisseling notes that swords were highly valued possessions for Vikings, often considered companions and sometimes even named. The museum is inviting visitors to suggest a name for the newly restored artifact. Its discovery provides evidence of Viking presence in the Achterhoek region of the Netherlands.