A discovery in the deep ravines of Germany's Black Forest has yielded a cache of incredibly well-preserved ritual torches dating back to the early Iron Age. These torches were constructed from tightly bound pine boughs interwoven with thin iron wires, designed to produce a brilliant, long-lasting flame for nocturnal processions through the dense woodland.
Researchers at the European Heritage Journal state that the use of iron threading allowed the torches to be carried during high-speed ritual runs, a key component of the 'Nocturnal-Flame' festivals. These celebrations were likely dedicated to forest deities and served as a rite of passage for young hunters, with the reflective iron wires creating a shimmering visual effect as the runners moved through the trees under the cover of the April new moon.