Archaeologists got a surprise when they re-analyzed the Villena Treasure, a collection of gold-plated objects found in Spain over 60 years ago. This new analysis revealed that two of the items, a cap and a bracelet, weren’t made entirely of gold. Instead, they contained a surprising element: iron from outer space. This meteoric iron, formed in the early days of our solar system, arrived on Earth in a meteorite millions of years ago. It’s a fascinating discovery that shows these ancient artisans incorporated materials beyond what they could typically find on Earth.
Scientists believe the “alien metals” found in the Villena Treasure are actually remnants of a meteorite that struck Earth a million years ago.
The analysis sheds light on the makeup of the “alien metal.” It’s a type of iron found in meteorites called meteorite iron. These meteorites are mostly rocky, composed of silicate minerals, like sand on a beach, but with an important twist: they contain iron and nickel alloyed together. Unlike typical iron on Earth, this meteorite iron has more than 5% nickel by weight. The researchers also found traces of other elements, with cobalt being one of the most prominent. This unique chemical signature is what helped scientists identify the extraterrestrial origin of the metal in the Villena Treasure artifacts.
Despite the discovery of extraterrestrial iron in the Villena Treasure, using meteoric materials wasn’t entirely unique. Similar finds, like artifacts in King Tut’s tomb, suggest this practice existed across cultures thousands of years ago. Unearthed on the Iberian Peninsula, the Villena Treasure offers a glimpse into a period of transition: the shift from stone tools to the Bronze Age. Interestingly, unlike the riches often associated with royalty, this collection likely belonged to a whole community, not a single powerful family.
The Villena Treasure, unearthed in 1963 by archaeologist José Maria Soler, is a stunning collection primarily crafted from high-quality gold (around 90% is 23.5-carat). It comprises everyday objects like bowls, bottles, and bracelets, totalling 59 pieces. The discovery site, the Rambla del Panadero, a dry riverbed near Villena, offers clues to the era when people transitioned from stone tools to the Bronze Age. Now housed in the city’s Museum of Archaeology, this treasure trove recently underwent a fresh analysis, revealing the surprising presence of “alien metals” – a testament to the advanced techniques and materials used by these ancient people.
A Spanish-Saudi team used fancy science to analyze the Villena Treasure. They found meteoric iron in a cap (5.5%) and a bracelet (2.8%). This shows these ancient artisans were skilled with both common and rare materials.
The lead researcher, Ignacio Montero Ruiz, from Spain’s Institute of History, emphasized the unique nature of the find. He explained that working with meteoric iron was entirely different from the metalworking techniques used for copper-based alloys or precious metals like gold and silver.
Scientists in 2016 discovered an amazing find in Egypt’s Museum of Cairo. A decorated dagger with a gold sheath held a blade surprisingly crafted from meteoric iron! This discovery, made by a team from the museum, Milan Polytechnic, and Pisa University, suggests ancient Egyptians may have used materials from outer space.
Just like the Egyptian dagger with its mysterious meteoric iron blade, the Villena Treasure analysis used similar techniques. This allowed researchers to match the alien metal to a specific meteorite – the Kharga, found in the year 2000 on Egypt’s Maras Matruh plateau, roughly 150 miles west of Alexandria.
This intricately crafted dagger, considered a standout piece from King Tut’s tomb, wasn’t just beautiful – it was also ground-breaking. Discovered within his sarcophagus, the dagger boasted a finely detailed gold handle with a crystal tip. The golden sheath itself was a work of art, adorned with floral designs, feather patterns, and even the head of a jackal