Overview

The book, Treasure of Villena Meteoritic Iron Unearthed, explores the archaeological discovery of meteoritic iron artifacts within a Bronze Age Iberian treasure hoard, challenging established timelines of ancient metallurgy. Through a structured examination, it traces the historical background of prehistoric Iberia, details the 1963 excavation in Alicante, and analyzes the cache's predominantly gold components, alongside two enigmatic, ferrous-like objects, a bracelet and a hollow hemisphere. The book proceeds to explore the shift from Bronze to Iron Age technologies, the extraterrestrial origins of meteoritic iron, distinguished by its high nickel content, and global precedents for such materials. Advanced analytical methods, including mass spectrometry, reveal compositional evidence in artifacts dating to 1400-1200 BCE, prior to widespread terrestrial iron production. The book extends to implications for Iberian metalworking sophistication and recommendations for future non-invasive studies, culminating in a synthesis of findings that reframes understandings of ancient technological capabilities.

Full Product Details

9798246023075

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Countries Available