An ancient weapon made of "space metal" has been found

It's about an object that looks like an axe.

It's about

• about 20 centimetres long
• axe-like shape
• it's preserved in three fragments

The main discovery is related to its composition.

Analysis showed that the artefact consists of an alloy of iron and nickel, which is characteristic of meteorites. Such a composition was almost impossible to obtain with the technology available in China at the time.

Details

At the time of the artefact's creation, iron was not yet being produced on a large scale.

This means that the metal

• was not smelted
• but used in a ready-made form from fallen meteorites

Such finds are extremely rare. Only about a dozen meteoritic iron artefacts are known in China.

Scientists believe that this object could have not only a practical but also a symbolic role.

It was found in a sacrificial pit.

Therefore, the researchers suggest that its meaning could have been more ritualistic than utilitarian.

Interestingly, the find from Sanxingdui is different from other similar artefacts in China.

In the central regions, meteoric iron was more often used as inserts in bronze objects.

Here, however, the object is made entirely of this material, which may speak of other technological and cultural traditions.

Why it's important

The discovery shows

• people were using meteorites as a source of metal long before the development of metallurgy
• the "celestial origin" of the material may have given the objects special significance
• technology and traditions of metalworking in ancient China differed by region

Background

Sanxingdui is one of the largest archaeological complexes in China, known for ritual finds, bronze masks and statues.

Source

The study is published in the journal Archaeological Research in Asia.