Archaeologists made a groundbreaking discovery more than 60 years ago when they unearthed the Treasure of Villena, a Bronze Age hoard in Spain. This treasure trove, consisting of 59 gold objects, including bracelets and bowls, also contained pieces made of silver and iron. What made this find truly remarkable was the revelation that parts of the hoard were crafted from extraterrestrial metal.
Upon closer examination, experts discovered that certain iron pieces in the collection were made from a meteorite that fell to Earth approximately one million years ago. The iron sphere-shaped sword piece and the C-shaped bracelet were found to have originated from this meteoric iron, making them the first and oldest meteoritic iron objects found in the Iberian Peninsula.
The significance of this discovery lies in the symbolic and social value of both gold and iron during that historical period. The items were likely part of a hidden treasure belonging to a community rather than an individual, as there were no kingdoms in the region at that time.
Researchers used mass spectrometry to analyze traces of iron-nickel alloy in the artefacts, confirming their extraterrestrial origin. Despite the valuable insights gained from this study, questions about the creators of these treasures and the source of the material still remain unanswered.
This remarkable find sheds light on the ancient civilizations that once inhabited the Iberian Peninsula and their interactions with materials from beyond our planet. The Treasure of Villena continues to captivate archaeologists and historians, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region.
