Rings forged from meteorites may have been fashionable among ancient Greek elites
Meteorites provided a rare but ready source of iron for ancient Bronze Age cultures before smelting became common. A new study, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, sheds light on how the ancient Minoan and Mycenaean elite used this extraordinary metal and when its popularity declined.
Ancient Greek elites may have worn rings fashioned from meteorites, according to a new study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science. Prior to the widespread use of iron smelting, meteorites provided a scarce but valuable source of iron for Bronze Age cultures. The researchers analyzed 91 Bronze Age and Early Iron Age iron objects from archaeological sites across Greece, and identified 13 that contained high levels of nickel, indicating they were likely made from meteoritic iron.
Of these, 10 were considered very likely meteoritic iron rings, while three were possibly meteoritic and required further testing. The rings, primarily found in elite tombs alongside gold, silver, and bronze artifacts, suggest they served as status symbols, indicating the wearers belonged to the upper class. The study also found that the use of meteorite rings peaked during the Late Bronze Age and disappeared before or around the collapse of the Mycenaean palace system, coinciding with the beginning of iron smelting in the region.
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