Experts Unearth Ancient Treasure Crafted from 'Alien' Metal : A Gift From Aliens?

According to SAEDNEWS, Finding a treasure trove is one thing, but having the knowledge to identify what’s truly valuable is an entirely different skill. When it comes to ancient artifacts, appearances can often be misleading.

Take, for example, the extraordinary discovery made in 1963 of treasures from the Iberian Bronze Age. While the gold in this collection is certainly eye-catching, it turns out that the most remarkable items may not be as glamorous.

Among the 66 artifacts in the Villena Treasure are two seemingly mundane pieces: a dull bracelet and a rusted hollow hemisphere adorned with traces of gold. Interestingly, the hemisphere is thought to be part of a larger scepter. Alongside stunning gold, silver, and amber items, these two objects stand out for another reason—they are made from unusual metals that have raised eyebrows among researchers.

Salvador Rovira-Llorens, the now-retired head of conservation at the National Archaeological Museum of Spain, led a study on these peculiar pieces. Researchers propose that these artifacts may be crafted from iron sourced from meteorites rather than any terrestrial iron.

The distinction is critical: meteorite iron contains a significantly higher nickel content compared to iron mined from Earth. This potential meteoritic origin could significantly enhance our understanding of how these items relate to the broader collection, as they date back to approximately 1400 to 1200 BCE.

In the journal Trabajos de Prehistoria, researchers noted, "The presence in the Villena Treasure (Alicante) of two pieces of iron—a hollow hemisphere and an open bracelet or ring—has sparked controversy regarding their timeline since their discovery in 1963." They further elaborated, "New analytical data supports the theory that both pieces are composed of meteoritic iron, suggesting they were created during the Late Bronze Age, before terrestrial iron production began."

This intriguing investigation highlights the complexities of archaeology, where even the most unassuming artifacts can hold immense significance.