Meteoric iron jewelry used by ancient Greek elites

A study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science suggests that elite Minoan and Mycenaean cultures in Bronze Age Greece used meteoric iron for prestige jewelry. Researchers analyzed over 90 iron artifacts from 33 archaeological sites using portable X-ray fluorescence, a non-destructive technique.

The analysis identified significant nickel levels in 13 specific pieces, primarily rings or ring fragments. High nickel concentrations are a key indicator of meteoric rather than terrestrial iron. Of these, ten objects were classified as having a very high or high probability of being produced from space-derived metal.

These artifacts, dating back approximately 3,000 to 3,800 years, were often found in high-status contexts, such as funerary sites, elite residences, and temples. Some pieces combined the rare meteoric iron with precious metals like gold or silver, serving as symbols of authority or personal status during an era before widespread iron smelting.