Ancient Treasure Reveals Extraterrestrial Metal, Says ScienceAlert

A remarkable archaeological discovery has emerged from the Iberian Peninsula, where a recent analysis reveals ancient treasures forged from extraterrestrial metal. A pair of corroded artifacts—a bracelet and a hemisphere—show evidence of being crafted from iron sourced from meteorites, not traditional terrestrial metal.

Discovery of the Treasure of Villena

This intriguing revelation stems from ongoing studies of the Treasure of Villena, which was unearthed in 1963 near Alicante, Spain. This cache consists of 66 items, primarily made of gold, and is viewed as a significant example of Bronze Age craftsmanship in Europe.

Pioneering Research

• Lead researcher: Salvador Rovira-Llorens, former head of conservation at the National Archaeological Museum in Spain.
• Publication year: 2024, in the journal Trabajos de Prehistoria.

Significance of the Artifacts

Among the collection, a hollow hemisphere and a torc-like bracelet have been particularly noteworthy. These items exhibit a “ferrous” appearance, leading experts to question their origins, as the Iberian Iron Age only began around 850 BCE. However, the gold components of the treasure are dated between 1500 and 1200 BCE.

Meteorite Iron Identification

Researchers used mass spectrometry techniques to examine the nickel content within the artifacts. The analysis suggests that this iron is meteoritic, distinguished by significantly higher nickel levels compared to terrestrial iron. Findings indicate that both the bracelet and hemisphere likely date back to 1400 to 1200 BCE.

Implications of the Findings

The analysis has identified these artifacts as some of the earliest examples of meteoritic iron usage in the Iberian Peninsula. This challenges previous notions about the technological capabilities of ancient Iberian cultures.

Future Research Directions

While the current data are promising, researchers recognize the limitations imposed by the corrosion of the artifacts. As such, they propose using advanced, non-invasive techniques for further analysis to validate these findings and enhance understanding of Iberian metalworking practices.

This study opens exciting avenues for exploring the relationship between ancient cultures and their use of extraterrestrial materials, emphasizing the complexity and sophistication of Bronze Age civilizations.