A bronze age antiquities repository holds two items crafted from iron sourced from a meteorite that descended to Earth around 1 million years ago.
The discovery of meteoric iron objects within the “Treasure of Villena” collection sheds new light on ancient metallurgy practices, as reported by Live Science on June 2. Unearthed in 1963 by archaeologists in Alicante, Spain, this treasure trove comprises 59 artifacts, including filter bottles, bowls, and refined jewelry crafted from gold, silver, amber, and now, iron.
Upon closer examination of these ancient iron pieces, researchers noted their distinct characteristics, describing them as dark-colored metal, partly shiny, with a coating resembling iron oxide and exhibiting cracks.
In a recent study published in the journal Trabajos de Prehistoria, analysis revealed that the iron used in two artifacts—a C-shaped bracelet and a blank marble adorned with a gold coating, likely for adorning sword hilts—originated from a meteorite that impacted Earth approximately 1 million years ago. These items, dated between 1400 and 1200 BC, hold significant historical value, offering insights into early human innovation and technology.
Ignacio Montero Ruiz, senior author of the study and an expert at the Spanish Institute of History, emphasized the communal significance of these artifacts, highlighting that they represent an entire community rather than an individual, given the absence of kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula during that era.
Utilizing mass spectrometry, the researchers identified traces of an iron-nickel alloy similar to those found in meteoric iron, suggesting a shared origin. Montero Ruiz noted the distinct metallurgical techniques employed for meteoric iron compared to other precious metals like gold and silver, indicating the innovative approaches early artisans adopted to work with these materials.
Replicas of artifacts from the Treasure of Villena in Spain. Photo: Lanmas/Alamy
While the creators and origins of the Villena Treasure remain uncertain, these findings mark the earliest-known instances of meteoritic iron materials discovered in the Iberian Peninsula, offering valuable insights into ancient metallurgy and enriching our understanding of Bronze Age civilizations. Today, these artifacts are housed in the Archaeological Museum in Villena, Spain.