Archaeologists with the Florida Public Archaeology Network say a couple who found a sword in the sand at Pensacola Beach contacted them with questions about their discovery.

PENSACOLA, Fla. − It wasn’t exactly King Arthur’s sword in a stone; more like a sword in the sand that a man said he pulled from the surf on Pensacola Beach in Florida, but the reaction has been almost as enthusiastic.

A post about the discovery on Facebook has gone viral with 65,000 reactions, plus thousands of shares and comments, not 24 hours after it was posted on Wednesday.

The post included the comments of Patty Sacco, who said her husband found the sword while looking for seashells about 30 yards out in the Gulf.

“The waters were pretty clear, and he saw part of the handle sticking out from the sand,” Sacco said. “Pulled on it a couple times, and low and behold a sword.”

Sacco continued, “We want to get it looked at and appraised before trying to clean it up, so we don’t break it if it’s an actual historical artifact.”

Archaeologists at Florida Public Archaeology Network said they got an email from Patty Sacco about the local couple’s discovery. They also posted about the discovery on their social media.

Nicole Grinnan, the organization’s interim executive director, said Sacco had reached out to the archeology network inquiring about the sword, which Grinnan believes is a heavy cavalry sword circa the 1840s.

“She reached out and she asked us what we thought about it but also what was the legality of the situation,” said Grinnan said. “This would have been used by members of the American military cavalry, typically. They’re riding on horseback, so it’s usually more like a ceremonial piece.”