Sword in a Sheath with a Gold Facing Poltava Region, Ukraine 7th century Gold, iron, glass L in sheath 94.2 cm Pereshchepina Treasure This single-edged blade and double-edged point sword is part of a set of arms and armour which once belonged to a noble warrior. The sword was probably made in a workshop which specialized in objects for the nomadic nobility: this is suggested by Greek letters scratched on the back of the handle. The close relations between Byzantium and the Eurasian nomads in the 7th-century allow us to regard this object as a piece of a gift or contribution. Crosses on the sword's facing indicate that it may have belonged to Khan Kubrat and thus the Pereshchepina Treasure was probably from the burial of this major historical figure. The sword may have been one of the gold objects which formed part of a presumed diplomat gift (634-640) from Heraclius to the chieftain of the Hunogunduri, the Christian Khan Kubrat.