In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists have unearthed evidence that two ancient jewelry pieces from the Bronze Age Treasure of Villena in Spain may be crafted from metal of extraterrestrial origin. This revelation not only highlights the advanced metallurgical techniques of our ancestors but also adds a celestial touch to the world of ancient jewelry.
The Treasure of Villena, discovered in 1963, is renowned for its exquisite gold artifacts, but it is the iron components that have captured the attention of researchers. A small hollow hemisphere and a torc-like bracelet, both with a ferromagnetic appearance, have been identified as potentially made from meteoritic iron. This finding is significant because the Iron Age in Iberia did not begin until around 850 BC, while these artifacts date back to between 1400 and 1200 BC.
Researchers from the National Archaeological Museum of Spain, led by Salvador Rovira-Llorens, have conducted detailed analyses using mass spectrometry. Despite the challenges posed by corrosion, the results suggest that these artifacts contain meteoritic iron, distinguished by its high nickel content compared to terrestrial iron.
This discovery underscores the sophistication of ancient metalworking techniques and the symbolic value of combining gold and iron in jewelry. The use of meteoritic iron in these pieces adds a unique dimension to their historical significance, making them among the most fascinating examples of Bronze Age jewelry in Europe.
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