Extraordinary 'Medieval Pilgrim's Badge' Discovered by Metal Detector, Rare Find 'In Very Good Condition'

A history enthusiast from Poland unearthed a rare find using nothing but a metal detector. Damian Tomczyk found the 'extraordinary' artifact near the town of Kamień Pomorski in the province of West Pomerania, Newsweek reported. The medieval object measures just over two inches and was probably once attached to a belt to hang keys or a purse, according to the Kamień Land History Museum. To this date, only a few similar artifacts have been found in Europe. 

Kamień Land History Museum announced the discovery of a small carving of a human figure by Tomczyk in March 2024, the Miami Herald reported. On analysis, experts found that the object was a rare anthropomorphic loop from the late medieval period. The carving was brownish-black in color and appeared to be a person standing with their hands on their hips. The artifact also contains a rectangular-shaped loop extending off it.

The museum describes the artifact to be in a "very good" condition, Newsweek reported. The director of the museum, archaeologist, Grzegorz Kurka, called the artifact "extraordinary."

Researchers after including the find by Tomczyk, now have 15 such medieval loops from all across the continent, the Miami Herald reported. Most of these loops were found in Germany. These particular artifacts have also been mentioned in German literature as belt hooks, figure key holders, or key hooks. At present, Tomczyk's find is being kept in the collection of the Museum of the History of the Kamień Land. The collection features two other medieval loops. 

In February another medieval artifact was discovered out of Poland, Newsweek reported. The small, round object was described as a kind of "medieval pilgrim's badge" measuring just over one inch. The badge likely contained a depiction of a dragon or basilisk, a legendary serpentlike creature in European folklore, as per the experts.

These badges were reportedly worn in medieval times, as a talisman to keep away evil spirits, Newsweek reported. Pilgrims believed it protected them from assault, theft, diseases, and random accidents. The badges also served the purpose of distinguishing the individuals wearing them, from the rest of the population.