Metal from 'beyond planet Earth' found in ancient burial site
Over 60 years ago, archaeologists made an incredible Bronze Age discovery called The Treasure of Villena.
The collection, obtained from a gravel pit, contains 59 gold objects, including 27 bracelets and 11 bowls, alongside other ancient pieces made from either silver or iron.
After analysing the treasure, the researchers found out that parts of the treasure, uncovered in Alicante, Spain were crafted from an 'extraterrestrial' substance called meteoric iron.
The outer-space material was found in a gold-coated cap and bracelet from the collection, with the cap containing 5.5% and the bracelet 2.8%.
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'The connection between gold and iron is important, as both elements have a great symbolic and social value,' said study senior author, Ignacio Montero-Ruiz.
Montero-Ruiz and his team used mass spectrometry to measure traces of iron-nickel alloy that were later found to be comparable to meteoric iron.
Moreover, the scientific team confirmed that these are both the first and oldest meteoritic iron objects found in the region.
Scientists theorise that the material came from a meteorite impact with Earth one million years ago.
'Since they come from outer space, are composed of an iron-nickel alloy with a variable nickel composition greater than five percent by weight,' the research team wrote.
'They also contain other minor and trace chemical elements, cobalt being one of the most significant.'
According to reports from El País, at the time of discovery, the bracelet appeared to be made up of 'a dark leaden metal' which is 'shiny in some areas, and covered with a ferrous-looking oxide that is mostly cracked.'
However, it’s not until now that scientists can confirm that these two pieces are the 'first objects found in the Iberian Peninsula that were made with material from beyond planet Earth,' - a similar artifact was discovered in the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Around 90% of the rest of the treasure trove was reportedly made with 23.5-carat gold. Additionally, according to Montero-Ruiz told El País, the two pieces of iron had 'enormous value.'
'For this reason, they were considered worthy of becoming part of this spectacular ensemble with numerous delicate gold objects.'
Despite the information gathered, questions of who manufactured them and where this material was obtained are 'still questions that remain to be answered.'