Over 3,000-Year-Old Meteorite Iron Ax Unearthed in China by Archaeologists.

Discovery of a Sanxingdui Culture Artifact

According to TSN.ua: A recent excavation in China has uncovered a remarkable artifact from the Sanxingdui culture: an axe crafted from meteorite iron, dating back more than three millennia. This find challenges previous assumptions about the metallurgical capabilities of this ancient civilization. The axe measures roughly 20 centimeters in length and 5 to 8 centimeters in width. It was recovered from pit number 7 at the Sanxingdui site, a culture that flourished from around 2800 to 600 BCE.

Significance of the Find

The Sanxingdui culture reached its peak during the Shang Dynasty, which spanned approximately 1600 to 1050 BCE. Researchers have identified eight sacrificial pits containing nearly 17,000 unique objects. What sets this particular artifact apart is its composition: over 90% iron with 7.41% nickel content. This discovery points to an advanced level of skill among the metallurgists of that era.

Haichao Li, one of the researchers, noted: 'As the oldest meteorite iron artifact from the Bronze Age found in southwestern China, it fills a critical gap in the region's metallurgical history and offers fresh insights into the early use of iron.'

The unearthing of this meteorite iron object underscores the importance of ongoing studies into the Sanxingdui culture, which may have played a pivotal role in advancing metallurgical techniques across China. It could also spark new investigations into how ancient civilizations interacted and shared technological knowledge. Discoveries like this have the potential to reshape our understanding of technological history in the region and its place within the broader global narrative.