Meteoric iron use in Bronze Age Greece

Archaeological research has identified the use of meteoric iron in jewelry belonging to the Minoan and Mycenaean elites of Bronze Age Greece. A study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science involved the chemical analysis of over 90 iron artifacts, including rings, bracelets, and knives, recovered from 33 different archaeological sites.

Using portable X-ray fluorescence to detect chemical compositions without damaging the artifacts, researchers identified significant traces of nickel in 13 items, primarily rings or ring fragments. Because nickel is a signature of meteoritic iron, the team concluded that approximately ten of these signet-type rings were likely crafted from material fallen from space, while three items require further study. During this period, dating back approximately 3,000 to 3,800 years, terrestrial iron metallurgy was not yet widespread, making such material an exceptionally rare resource.

The artifacts, which were often found in prestigious funerary contexts, elite residences, and temples, and sometimes combined with gold or silver, suggest that these extraterrestrial metal accessories served as potent symbols of power and authority for the palatial elite. The investigation, led by prehistoric archaeologist Eleni Mantzourani of the University of Athens and astrophysicist Matthieu Gounelle of the French National Museum of Natural History, suggests the rare metal may have been imported, potentially from Egypt, where meteoritic iron was also highly prized.