Bronze Age Artifact Made from ‘Space Metal’ Unearthed at a Sacrificial Site is Confirmed as the Oldest of Its Kind
The Debrief • • science
Key Points:
- A Bronze Age artifact made from meteoritic iron, described as an "axe-like" instrument, was discovered at the Sanxingdui site in Sichuan Province, China, and is now identified as the earliest and largest known object of its kind.
- The artifact predates local iron smelting and its high nickel and iron content confirms its extraterrestrial origin, although the specific type of meteorite remains unidentified.
- Sanxingdui, active from 2800 to 600 BCE, is renowned for its ceremonial artifacts, and this meteoritic iron blade likely held ritual significance, as it was found in a sacrificial pit alongside other ceremonial objects.
- The chemical composition of this artifact differs from other meteoritic iron finds in northern China, suggesting diverse metallurgical practices and simultaneous use of different metal sources during the period.
- Researchers plan further analysis and excavations to better understand the artifact’s metallurgical properties, cultural context, and potential links to ancient meteorite impacts documented in Chinese historical records.
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