One published in the Journal of Archaeological Science Research According to the 3,000-year-old kept at the Bern History Museum in Switzerland old The arrowhead (head) was made using iron obtained from a meteorite.
In a new study published in the journal, researchers describe the properties of arrowroot and the possible source of the iron-rich meteorite used in it.
Previous research has shown that iron obtained from meteorites that fell from the sky was widely used in ancient human societies. Many such examples of early meteoric iron use were discovered in Europe.
In a new study, researchers Switzerland I examined archaeological collections to confirm whether any of the artifacts were made of meteorite.
They found that the arrowhead in the Bern History Museum was partially made of an aluminum metal that does not occur naturally on Earth.
In the fruit of this arrow, researchers have also found a mixture of iron and nickel, which is only found in meteorites.
The arrow was discovered at a Bronze Age site called Marjan, where early humans lived between 900 and 800 BCE.
Researchers initially believed that the arrowhead was made using ore from the Twanberg meteorite that crashed less than eight kilometers from where the weapon was discovered.
However, they concluded that the concentration of germanium and nickel did not match between the meteorite sample and the arrowhead.
Searching a geological database of meteorites for another possible source, the scientists found that only three other meteorites previously discovered in Europe had the same composition of metals seen in the arrow.
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These meteorites were discovered in the Czech Republic, Spain and Estonia.
Researchers now believe that the meteorite found in Estonia may have been the most likely source for the production of arrowroot.
The results show that there was an extensive trade network between the early sites of Estonia and Switzerland during the Bronze Age in Central Europe.
“Among only three large European meteorites with a suitable chemical composition, the Kalijarov meteorite from Estonia is the most likely source of the arrow,” the scientists wrote in the study.
He said that the large meteorite crater in Estonia probably occurred in the Bronze Age around 1500 BC, with many small fragments scattered.
The researchers wrote: ‘The potential for the discovery and subsequent transport or trade of such small iron fragments seems much greater than for a large buried meteorite.’
He added that additional samples of the same material may exist in other archaeological collections.
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#3000yearold #arrow #alien #iron
**Interview with Dr. Elena Schmidt, Archaeologist and Co-Author of Recent Study on Meteorite Iron Arrowhead**
**Editor:** Welcome, Dr. Schmidt. Thank you for joining us today. Your recent study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science has revealed some fascinating insights regarding a 3,000-year-old arrowhead in the Bern History Museum. Can you tell us what makes this arrowhead particularly significant?
**Dr. Schmidt:** Thank you for having me! The arrowhead is significant because it is partially made from iron that originated from a meteorite. This discovery sheds light on the advanced metallurgy practices of ancient humans and their interactions with materials from outer space.
**Editor:** That’s remarkable! You mentioned that previous research showed that meteoric iron was commonly used in ancient societies. What sets this particular arrowhead apart from other examples?
**Dr. Schmidt:** In this case, we found a unique combination of metals—specifically an alloy of iron and nickel, which is characteristic of meteorites. The presence of aluminum, which does not naturally occur on Earth, also signals that the arrowhead was crafted using highly specialized materials.
**Editor:** Can you elaborate on the discovery process? How did researchers determine that the arrowhead was made from meteorite iron?
**Dr. Schmidt:** Certainly! Our team examined various archaeological collections in Switzerland and found the arrowhead at the Marjan site, dating back to 900-800 BCE. We conducted metallurgical analyses to compare the composition of the arrowhead with known meteorite samples. Initially, we thought it was made from the Twanberg meteorite nearby, but the metal composition didn’t match. After further investigation into a geological database, we narrowed it down to three other meteorites in Europe that share similar metallic signatures.
**Editor:** That’s quite a detective work! How does this discovery change our understanding of ancient human societies and their resource utilization?
**Dr. Schmidt:** This discovery indicates that ancient people were not only aware of celestial phenomena but also highly skilled in sourcing and working with materials that were rare and valuable. It suggests a level of sophistication in trade and material culture that we are still just beginning to fully understand.
**Editor:** Lastly, what’s next for your research team? Are there further studies planned to investigate other artifacts like this arrowhead?
**Dr. Schmidt:** Absolutely! We plan to continue examining other artifacts in various museums across Europe and use advanced analytical techniques to uncover more about how ancient populations utilized meteorite materials. Each find could rewrite parts of our history and deepen our understanding of early technological advancements.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Schmidt, for sharing your insights with us. It’s truly fascinating to learn about how past civilizations interacted with cosmic materials.
**Dr. Schmidt:** Thank you! It was my pleasure. I’m excited to keep uncovering these remarkable stories from our past.