This fossilized upper rostrum (bill) of a Miocene aged Swordfish is a new addition for us. One can imagine this massive prehistoric swordfish swimming at breakneck speeds to impale its meal on the end of its impressive biological weaponry. Once stuck and ready to be eaten, one has to ask “how did the swordfish get the fish off its "sword" and into its mouth?” It just doesn't make any sense!
That's because they actually didn’t use their “sword” like a sword.
Turns out, the "swords" of swordfish are indeed used for hunting, but not as devices to impale prey. Rather, they are wielded as scythes to swing at larger prey or through schools of smaller fish, knocking them senseless so they can be easily gobbled up. So really they should be called a mace or flail fish… Anyways, These swordfish bills are smooth and horizontally flattened, which is believed to be better for tackling larger prey like squid. We can deduce much of this from studying their living ancestors that still swim in the oceans of the modern age. Knowing how these impressive rostrums were used makes them all the more impressive. They are truly fascinating specimens.