Scientists have recently discovered traces of extraterrestrial iron in the Villena treasure. The iron is believed to come from a meteorite that crashed into Earth about a million years ago. These are the first and oldest meteoritic iron artefacts discovered on the Iberian Peninsula.
The Villena treasure
The treasure is one of the greatest hoard finds of gold of the European Bronze Age. It was discovered 5 kilometres from the city of Villena, Spain, by archaeologist José María Soler García in 1963. The treasure dates back to 1300 – 1000 CE.
The treasure comprises 59 intricately crafted items, including 27 bracelets, 11 bowls, and other exquisite pieces of jewellery, which are made from various precious materials such as gold, silver, amber and iron.
Extraterrestial metal
Recent research published in the journal Trabajos de Prehistoria reveals that two ancient artefacts were crafted from metal originating from a meteorite, which impacted Earth approximately one million years ago. The study was conducted by researchers Salvador Rovira-Llorens, Martina Renzi, and Ignacio Montero-Ruiz, affiliated with the National Archaeological Museum, the Diriyah Gate Development Authority in Saudi Arabia, and the Institute of History at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
The study examined two iron objects—a hollow semi-sphere covered in gold sheeting, speculated to be a pommel for a sword hilt and a bracelet in the form of a C, which symbolises a link between the earthly and heavenly realms. The objects are great examples of remarkable prehistoric handiwork. These artefacts were dated to a period ranging between 1,400 and 1,200 BC, predating the onset of the Iron Age in the region.
The research findings confirm that the iron found in these artefacts originated from a meteorite. Samples were sent to the Curt-Engelhorn-Centre of Archaeometry gGmbH in Germany for spectrometric mass analyses. The results identified the iron-nickel alloy composition similar to that of meteoritic iron. This is important as meteoric iron typically contains more than 5 percent nickel while traces of nickel in terrestrial iron are very low and undetectable.
The pommel displays intricate adornments comprising three bands intersected by four parallel strips, creating four distinct sections forming a four-pointed star. While the bracelet is an open ring with rounded, slightly flattened ends, made from a dark and glossy metal. Its surface displays a combination of lustre and a patina of ferrous oxide caused by fragmented oxidation.
“The connection between gold and iron is important, as both elements have a great symbolic and social value,” Ignacio Montero Ruiz told Live Science over email. “In this case, [the artefacts] were … probably hidden treasure that could have belonged to a whole community and not to a single person. There were no kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula at this historical period.”
These artefacts offer insights into the metallurgical techniques of the Late Bronze Age and illustrate the innovative use of new technologies by ancient cultures. Consequently, they serve not only as valuable historical items but also as portals to the past, offering an understanding of the advancement of technology and societal progress.