Bronze Age Treasures in Spain Made from Meteoritic Iron, Suggests New Study
In the heart of the Iberian Bronze Age lies a remarkable discovery that has captivated archaeologists and historians alike. Amongst a collection of dazzling golden treasures, two seemingly insignificant objects have emerged as the most precious of all. A dull bracelet and a rusted hollow hemisphere adorned with gold have been found to be forged not from earthly metals, but from iron derived from meteorites that fell from the sky.
Led by Salvador Rovira-Llorens, the retired head of conservation at the National Archaeological Museum Spain, this groundbreaking discovery challenges our understanding of metalworking technology and techniques in Iberia over 3,000 years ago. The findings suggest that the ancient civilization possessed a far more advanced knowledge of metalworking than previously believed.
The cache of 66 predominantly gold objects, known as the Treasure of Villena, was unearthed over six decades ago in 1963 in what is now Alicante, Spain. Since its discovery, it has been hailed as one of the most significant examples of Bronze Age goldsmithing in both the Iberian Peninsula and Europe as a whole. However, determining the age of this collection has proven to be a complex task due to two enigmatic artifacts: a small hollow hemisphere, believed to be part of a scepter or sword hilt, and a torc-like bracelet. Both objects possess a distinct “ferrous” appearance, indicating an iron composition.
The challenge arises from the fact that the Iron Age in the Iberian Peninsula, where smelted terrestrial iron replaced bronze, did not commence until around 850 BCE. This discrepancy raises questions about the placement of these ferrous artifacts within the context of the Treasure of Villena.
Nevertheless, iron derived from Earth’s crust is not the sole source of malleable iron. Numerous pre-Iron Age iron artifacts worldwide were crafted from meteoritic iron. One of the most famous examples is the meteoritic iron dagger of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. These Bronze Age weapons, made from meteoritic iron, held immense value and prestige.
To differentiate between iron from meteorites and iron extracted from the Earth, researchers sought permission from the Municipal Archaeological Museum of Villena, where the collection is housed, to conduct careful testing on the two artifacts. The aim was to determine the nickel content, as iron from meteorites typically possesses a significantly higher nickel concentration. Through the use of mass spectrometry, samples were taken from both objects and analyzed. Despite the extensive corrosion that had altered the elemental composition of the artifacts, the results strongly indicate that both the hemisphere and the bracelet were indeed crafted from meteoritic iron.
This discovery effectively resolves the dilemma surrounding the placement of these two artifacts within the broader collection. They can now be dated back to approximately 1400 to 1200 BCE, aligning them with the rest of the Treasure of Villena.
While the corroded state of these objects prevents conclusive findings, the research team suggests that modern non-invasive techniques could be employed to obtain more detailed data that would further solidify these groundbreaking results. The study has been published in Trabajos de Prehistoria, shedding new light on the ancient civilization’s mastery of metalworking and challenging our understanding of their technological capabilities.
As we delve deeper into the mysteries of our past, each archaeological discovery brings us closer to unraveling the secrets of ancient civilizations. The Treasure of Villena continues to captivate our imagination, revealing a glimpse into a time when celestial gifts from above were transformed into precious works of art.
