Recent research on the Villena Treasure, a collection of Bronze Age artifacts, has revealed the presence of a mysterious metal of extraterrestrial origin. Discovered in Spain on December 1, 1963, the treasure was initially thought to be crafted from conventional gold and metal materials. However, closer examination has unveiled a fascinating discovery.
The Villena Treasure, considered one of the largest Bronze Age hoards found on that fateful day in 1963 in Alicante, Spain, was comprised of 59 gold items, including bracelets and bowls, alongside various silver and iron artifacts. Initially perceived as ordinary, some objects within the collection displayed peculiar characteristics that puzzled researchers for years.
Through rigorous analysis, scientists identified a dark, enigmatic metal present in the gold-plated sword hilt and bracelet from the treasure. This substance, described as both shiny and coated with an iron-like oxide, was traced back to an extraterrestrial source. Dubbed as the "first and oldest objects made of alien material on the Iberian Peninsula," these artifacts were crafted between 1400 and 1200 BC using iron from a meteorite that plummeted to Earth approximately a million years ago.
Employing mass spectrometry, experts scrutinized the metal's isotopic and elemental composition, unveiling valuable insights. It was also posited that these treasures may have belonged to a community rather than a single individual, given the absence of kingdoms in that historical era on the Iberian Peninsula. While their precise origins remain shrouded in mystery, these artifacts undoubtedly held significant value in their time and continue to captivate researchers striving to unravel their enigmatic past.