Ancient Sword Discovered During Fishing Expedition in Poland
In the heart of Utah, West Valley City has recently seen a series of unexpected discoveries. In late July 2025, cremated remains labeled "Stevens, John" were found at a local fire station, sparking an investigation by the West Valley City Police to trace the owner or next of kin [1]. Just a few weeks later, in early August, the remains of missing man Justin Hooiman were discovered in a pond within the city, bringing an end to a years-long search and raising family questions about the circumstances [5].
More recently, images of a skull and other remains found near a West Valley City pond circulated, with identifiable tattoos visible but details about the current investigation remaining scarce [3]. The investigation into the cremated remains is ongoing, with authorities actively seeking information about "Stevens, John" to identify next steps [1]. The recovery of Justin Hooiman's remains concluded a prolonged search, but questions about the case remain unresolved, indicating that the investigation is still active to clarify the details of his disappearance and death [5].
On the other side of the world, a fisherman in Poland made an extraordinary find in the Vistula River. In the developing settlement where the river flows, the fisherman discovered a nearly intact sword estimated to be around 700 years old [6]. The sword, measuring 79 centimeters in length, is unique for the territory of modern-day Warsaw and has a spherical pommel and a crossguard that may bear a "smith's mark" [6]. The practice of intentionally throwing swords into the water was not common among the Christian Polish population in the 13th century, making the discovery even more intriguing [6].
Conservation and research of the ancient sword continue in Poland [7]. The "smith's mark" on the sword could potentially be the signature of the craftsman who made the weapon, offering a glimpse into the artisan's work during that era [6]. The discovery of human remains in West Valley City and the ancient sword in Poland serve as reminders of the mysteries that lie beneath the surface, waiting to be uncovered.
[1] West Valley City Police seek owner or next of kin for cremated remains found at fire station. (2025, July). Retrieved from https://www.wvcity.org/news/2025/07/west-valley-city-police-seek-owner-or-next-of-kin-for-cremated-remains-found-at-fire-station
[3] Images of skull and remains found near West Valley City pond circulate. (2025, August). Retrieved from https://www.ksl.com/article/46997253/images-of-skull-and-remains-found-near-west-valley-city-pond-circulate
[5] Justin Hooiman's remains found in West Valley City pond end years-long search. (2025, August). Retrieved from https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/08/01/30170962/justin-hooiman-remains-found-in-west-valley-city-pond-end-years-long-search
[6] Fisherman discovers 700-year-old sword in Warsaw's developing settlement. (2025, August). Retrieved from https://www.thenews.pl/archaeology/2025/08/fisherman-discovers-700-year-old-sword-in-warsaws-developing-settlement
[7] Conservation and research of 700-year-old sword continue in Poland. (2025, August). Retrieved from https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/conservation-and-research-of-700-year-old-sword-continue-in-poland
- The discovery of cremated remains in West Valley City, Utah, and the unearthing of an ancient 700-year-old sword in Poland serve as examples of how science and history intersect, offering insights into different lifestyles from both home-and-garden settings and Medieval European societies.
- Meanwhile, in the realm of modern lifestyle, advances in technology and forensics may help identify "Stevens, John" and Justin Hooiman, while the analysis of the "smith's mark" on the ancient sword could unveil the identity of its maker, bridging the gap between the past and present.
