A 4-inch crucifixion-style nail dating from the time of Jesus has been discovered in an ornate box at a fort that may have been a stronghold of knights who occupied Jerusalem during the Crusades, The Daily Mirror reports.

The Knights Templar, featured in The Da Vinci Code, conquered the Holy Lands and claimed to be guardians of the Holy Grail, the cross and other relics.

The iron nail, similar to the type used in thousands of crucifixions across the Roman Empire, was found during excavations of the fort on the tiny island of Ilheu de Pontinha, off the Portuguese island of Madeira.

The Mirror says the nail is smooth, indicating that it had been handled by many people over a long period of time.

The newspaper quotes Christopher Macklin of the Knights Templar of Britannia as calling last summer's find "momentous."

He said evidence the nail had been handled a lot "indicates it was of great interest to many people" and that he believes the original Knights Templar thought it was a genuine artifact from Jesus' crucifixion.

(Posted by Doug Stanglin)