Produced by: Tarun Mishra
A recent study published in the journal Trabajos de Prehistoria sheds light on the remarkable contents of the Treasure of Villena, a discovery made over six decades ago in Spain.
Archaeologists unearthed a collection of 59 items, including bottles, bowls, and jewelry, crafted from gold, silver, amber, and iron.
A groundbreaking revelation emerged as scientists identified two iron artifacts, a gold-plated sword hilt pommel and an open bracelet, as containing material sourced from a meteorite that fell to Earth approximately one million years ago.
After years of observation, researchers have finally confirmed that these artifacts are the first objects found in the Iberian Peninsula made with material from beyond Earth.
The fusion of gold and iron in these artifacts carries significant symbolic and social value, likely representing hidden treasure that may have belonged to a community rather than an individual.
Dating back to 1400-1200 BC, these items provide insight into a period lacking established kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula, hinting at communal ownership.
Researchers employed mass spectrometry to analyze the iron-nickel alloy traces in the artifacts, confirming their similarity to meteoric iron.
While the origin of the treasure remains uncertain, it's confirmed that these artifacts represent the first and oldest meteoritic iron objects found in the region.
xDespite these groundbreaking discoveries, questions about the manufacturing process and the source of the material continue to intrigue researchers, leaving aspects of this ancient treasure shrouded in mystery.