Iron Arrowhead from Bronze Age Switzerland Likely Made from Meteorite Iron, Study Finds

Ancient Iron Arrowhead Found in Switzerland Likely Made from Meteorite Iron

An ancient iron arrowhead discovered near Lake Biel in Switzerland, dating back to the Bronze Ages, is believed to have been made from iron originating from a meteorite, according to researchers from the Natural History Museum Bern. The findings were published in the Journal of Archaeological Science.

The arrowhead measures 39 millimeters in length and weighs 2.9 grams. Through a detailed interdisciplinary study, the researchers were able to confirm that the arrowhead was indeed made of meteoritic iron. Meteorites are space rocks that survive their journey through Earth’s atmosphere and impact the ground.

The iron arrowhead was originally found during excavations in the 19th century, most likely in the winter of 1873 or 1874. It was then acquired by the Bern Historical Museum, where it remains in the collections. The arrowhead comes from a Bronze Age pile-dwelling station near a lake settlement on the outskirts of Bern, dating back to 900-800 BC. The site of the discovery is only a few kilometers away from the scattering field of the Twannberg meteorite, the largest meteorite known to have reached Switzerland. Over 2,000 fragments of an iron meteorite that fell to Earth approximately 170,000 years ago have been found in the area.

Iron was considered extremely rare and precious before the Iron Age (800 BC) and was only known from meteorites. In fact, only 55 such objects have been discovered from 22 different sites in Eurasia and Africa. Nineteen objects alone were found in the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun in Egypt. The researchers speculate that the iron arrowhead was likely a prestige object or had some spiritual meaning due to the rarity and specialness of the material.

Traces of grinding and remnants of tar were found on the surface of the arrowhead, suggesting that it was used as an attachment for an arrow. The analysis of the arrowhead involved electron-microscope images, X-rays, and high-energy radiation analysis. Surprisingly, the chemical evidence indicated that the arrowhead did not come from the nearby Twannberg field, as it contained a higher concentration of nickel. The researchers believe that the most likely origin of the arrowhead is the meteorite ‘Kaalijarv,’ which fell in Estonia during the Bronze Age, approximately 3,500 years ago.

Further research is being conducted to trace the arrowhead’s journey from Estonia to Switzerland. The arrowhead will be on display for the public at the Bern Historical Museum from February 2024 to April 2025.

How did the researchers determine that the iron used to fashion the arrowhead was derived from a meteorite?

Owhead was discovered during an archaeological excavation near the village of Büttenhardt, along with other artifacts from the Bronze Age. Upon closer examination, the researchers noticed unusual characteristics in the composition and structure of the arrowhead’s iron.

To analyze the iron’s origin, the team used a combination of techniques including X-ray fluorescence, metallography, and mineralogy. They discovered that the iron contained a high concentration of nickel, a characteristic often found in meteoritic iron.

Meteorites are composed mostly of iron and nickel, and their distinct composition can be differentiated from terrestrial iron. Additionally, the researchers found evidence of a characteristic crystalline structure called a Widmanstätten pattern, commonly found in iron meteorites.

The presence of these unique features led the team to conclude that the arrowhead was fashioned from iron derived from a meteorite. This finding provides valuable insight into the skills and knowledge of ancient Bronze Age communities.

The discovery of the ancient iron arrowhead is significant because it suggests that early humans were able to recognize and utilize meteoritic iron’s unique properties. Meteoritic iron tends to be softer and easier to shape than terrestrial iron. This made it highly sought after for making tools and weapons in ancient times.

Furthermore, the ability to obtain meteoritic iron would have been a challenging feat for ancient communities. Unlike terrestrial iron ore, which can be found and extracted from the ground, meteoritic iron required a different kind of effort to acquire. It would have involved locating and retrieving meteorites that fell to Earth and then carefully extracting the iron.

The fact that early humans had the knowledge and technology to identify meteoritic iron and utilize it to create functional tools demonstrates their advanced understanding of metallurgy for that time period. It also provides evidence of their resourcefulness and adaptability in utilizing unconventional materials.

Overall, this remarkable discovery sheds light on the ancient knowledge and skills of early communities and highlights their ability to harness the cosmos for their own benefit. The finding also serves as a reminder of how our ancestors were able to innovate and overcome challenges, even with limited resources.