Ancient Iberian Hoard Uncovers Meteorite Iron Forged Before Iron Age

Researchers analyzing two corroded iron pieces from the 3,000-year-old Treasure of Villena in Spain determined they are meteoritic iron, making them the first such objects identified on the Iberian Peninsula and evidence of iron from space centuries before terrestrial iron smelting began. Nickel-rich signatures and other chemical markers support a extraterrestrial origin despite heavy corrosion; researchers caution that non-invasive follow-up is needed to strengthen the findings.