The iron bracelet was preserved because it was buried in which environment?

A bird‑watcher crossing Öland’s Löt wetland in March spotted rusty metal protruding from peat and alerted archaeologists. Excavation revealed a 1 000‑year‑old iron bracelet—only the fourth of its type in Sweden—still etched with serpent motifs. Experts credit the bog’s anoxic acidity for preserving a material usually lost in Viking hoards. Pollen samples suggest ritual deposition as Norse farmers shifted towards Christianity. The State Historical Museum will CT‑scan the piece to analyse forging techniques before a summer tour highlighting climate change’s threat to water‑logged heritage. Officials hope the find will bolster Öland’s UNESCO bid by showcasing rural Viking networks.