A team of researchers identified a metal whose origin escapes what is known on Earth among the artifacts treasure of Villena, one of the most important archaeological sites in Spain, dating from around 1200 to 1400 BC. C. This discovery revealed the ingenuity of ancient craftsmen and changed our perception of the technology and art of Bronze Age civilizations.
Analysis a bracelet aa metal hemisphereamong pieces of treasure, confirmed with high probability that they are made of meteoritic iron, which raised questions about trade relations and astronomical knowledge of Iberian cultures in the Bronze Age, as stated in an article in the specialized portal ScienceAlert.
The meteoritic iron and gold hemisphere has a maximum diameter of 4.5 centimeters. Photo: Villena Museum
First, what is Villena’s treasure?
He treasure of Villenadiscovered in 1963 in the province of Alicante, Spain, is one of the finds Bronze Age the most important in Europe. It consists of 59 objects with a total weight of almost 10 kilograms of gold, making it the second largest prehistoric gold hoard found on the continent.
The high-quality gold pieces that make up the hoard are: “11 bowls, 28 bracelets, 3 vials and various objects used as a decorative element of a circular piece weighing 9,754 kg, 3 silver vials weighing more than 600 g, 2 objects believed to be made of iron and the remains of a type of resin identified without adequate analysis as amber”, says the article from the University of Alicante.
The importance of the Villena hoard is estimated to go beyond its material value, as it reveals details of trade, metal-making technologies and cultural contexts in the Iberian Peninsula more than 3,000 years ago.
The mystery of the bracelet and the iron hemisphere
Among the glittering pieces, the bracelet and hemisphere – which is like half of an oval sphere that could have been the hilt of a sword – stood out for its unusual metal composition. At first they were thought to be made of ordinary iron, but recent research, such as that led by Salvador Rovira-Llorens, has shown with high probability that their material is meteoritic iron.
Suspicions arose because iron production only began around 850 BC. C. and the treasury materials are dated between 1500 and 1200 BC. C., so deciphering what both objects were made of was a challenge. After several analyses, it was found that it could be a very specific type of iron.
“Available data suggests that the cap and bracelet from the Villena treasure would currently be the first two pieces can be attributed to meteoritic iron in the Iberian Peninsula, which is compatible with the chronology of the Late Bronze,” say the specialists who participated in the study directed by Llorens, in an article published in the journal Trabajos de Prehistoria.
The iron bracelet measures 8.5 centimeters in width. Photo: Villena Museum
Why was the material thought to be meteoritic iron?
The key to identifying meteoritic iron lies in its unique composition, rich in nickel y cobalt, very different from metals of extraterrestrial origin. These elements, in concentrations significantly different from the concentration of iron found on Earth, together with specific crystal patterns observed under a microscope, confirmed the scientists’ hypothesis. Its properties are not found in iron manufactured or found naturally on the earth’s surface.
“Meteoritic iron is found in certain types of meteorites that come from space and hit the Earth’s surface. These meteorites are essentially composed of an iron-nickel alloy with a variable composition of nickel that is usually greater than 5% by weight.” ”, is stated in the aforementioned publication.
Meteoric iron is remarkable not only for its extraterrestrial origin, but also for its unique properties. Historically, it has been used in various cultures to make objects of great importance, due to its durability and resistance to corrosion.
