# Spanish Treasure Holds Meteoritic Iron

> Chemical tests reveal 3,000-year-old Spanish treasure objects may be made from meteoritic iron.
- Title: Spanish Treasure Holds Meteoritic Iron · Indiatimes | Shortify
- Summary: Chemical tests reveal 3,000-year-old Spanish treasure objects may be made from meteoritic iron.
- Keywords: villena treasure, bronze age, meteoritic iron, chemical tests, a 3000-year-old spanish treasure, iron objects, spain, ancient metal, metal from meteorites, ancient iron, bronze age goldwork, a 3000-year-old treasure
- Source: Indiatimes — https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/discovery/a-3000-year-old-spanish-treasure-contains-two-unusual-iron-objects-chemical-tests-suggest-they-may-have-been-crafted-from-metal-that-fell-to-earth-in-meteorites/articleshow/135706888.cms
- Author: TOI Science Desk
- Published: 2026-11-10T20:20:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: villena treasure, bronze age, meteoritic iron, chemical tests, a 3000-year-old spanish treasure, iron objects, spain, ancient metal, metal from meteorites, ancient iron, bronze age goldwork, a 3000-year-old treasure
## Villena Treasure Discovery
Two iron objects found in a Spanish treasure discovered in 1963 form part of the Villena Treasure, a major Bronze Age goldwork collection in Alicante, southeastern Spain.
## Unusual Iron Objects
The hollow hemisphere and open bracelet have iron-like surfaces affected by corrosion, raising questions about their age and origin.
## Dating Problem
Terrestrial iron production began later than the period when the treasure may have been buried, creating a dating challenge.
## Research Paper Published
Scientists published findings in Trabajos de Prehistoria, titled 'Meteoritic iron in the Villena Treasure?', examining chemical composition of both objects.
## Nickel Content Analysis
Initial tests detected iron and nickel in samples, but the low nickel levels in the bracelet initially suggested terrestrial iron.
## Second Sample Taken
Researchers took a deeper sample from the bracelet in 2013 to get higher nickel measurements for accurate analysis.
## Nickel Levels Confirmed
The hollow hemisphere contained 5.5% nickel, while the bracelet showed 2.8% nickel after deeper sampling.
## Meteoritic Iron Match
Both objects fell within the meteoritic iron distribution region based on nickel-to-iron and nickel-to-cobalt ratios.
## Trace Elements Match
Similar levels of gallium, germanium, and ruthenium suggest a common origin for both objects.
## Late Bronze Age Date
The findings are compatible with a Late Bronze Age date, before widespread terrestrial iron production began.
## Cabezo Redondo Connection
The researchers linked the dating possibility to the Villena Treasure's relationship with the Cabezo Redondo Treasure, abandoned before 1200 cal BC.
## Further Tests Needed
Additional non-invasive techniques like gamma spectrometry and muon radiography are needed for higher certainty.
## Conclusion
Chemical tests suggest both objects were made from meteoritic iron, with a high probability of Late Bronze Age origin.
## Key takeaway

Chemical analysis suggests two iron objects in Spain's 3,000-year-old Villena Treasure were crafted from meteoritic metal.