Medieval "pilgrim's badge" with basilisk image found in Poland: photo
A "pilgrim's badge" from the Middle Ages depicting a basilisk, a terrifying mythological creature that looks like a dragon, was discovered in southeastern Poland. Such finds are rare and can help archaeologists determine the routes of Christian pilgrims hundreds of years ago.
Independent archaeologist Tomasz Murzyński, who lives in the Polish city of Wroclaw, said another man found the badge in January in the village of Wulka Nieliska, about 130 miles (210 kilometers) southeast of Warsaw, and then passed it on to him, Live Science reports.
According to Polish law, such historical finds belong to the state, so Murzyński handed the artifact over to the provincial curator of historical monuments in the neighboring city of Lublin.
The badge is made of lead alloyed with tin. It is round, less than 0.04 inches (approximately 1 millimeter) thick and just over 1 inch (2.8 centimeters) across. The symbol of the basilisk, which looks like a dragon with wings instead of front legs, is "carved" from the surrounding circle and is well decorated.
As TravelWise previously reported, a tourist in Poland was fined 500 zlotys for taking a selfie in a "bad place."
