Ancient craftsmen, it seems, were skilled at locating and using this celestial material. Thus they gave their creations not only physical but also possibly symbolic value.
In a startling revelation, researchers have unearthed evidence that people of that era were not just skilled craftsmen. But also pioneering metalworkers, able to recognise and use materials from beyond our world.
In the splendour of a Bronze Age treasure from Iberia, a seemingly humble bracelet and a rusty hemisphere have been identified as objects of cosmic origin, made of a unique metal.
This groundbreaking discovery was led by Salvador Rovira-Llorens, head of conservation at the National Archaeological Museum of Spain. His research into the composition of these artefacts has provided a stunning insight into the metalworking capabilities of ancient civilisations more than 3,000 years ago. The objects were discovered in 1963 near Alicante, Spain. They stand out not only for their historical significance but also for their extraterrestrial material.
The incorporation of this metal into these objects challenges previous notions of technological progress.
The conventional timeline places the advent of the Iron Age, marked by the smelting of earth's iron, around 850 BC. However, the gold artefacts within the treasure of Vilena have been dated between 1500 and 1200 BC. That predates the Iron Age by several centuries. This discrepancy has puzzled historians and archaeologists alike. As the presence of iron among these ancient artifacts does not align with the known technological capabilities of the time.
The metal is distinguished by its high nickel content. This, compared to terrestrial iron, offers a solution to this conundrum. Ancient craftsmen, it seems, were adept at identifying and using this celestial material. This gave their creations not only physical but also possibly symbolic value. The use of iron in objects such as the bracelet and the crescent from Villena may have given them a special status. They may even have been believed to possess divine or protective properties.
The implications of this discovery are enormous. They suggest a complex understanding of materials and metallurgy in the ancient world that was far ahead of its time.
Source: gazzetta.gr
