The rings of the Minoan and Mycenaean elite might have been crafted from iron of meteoritic origin. Scientists have identified signs of it in 13 ancient ornaments.
Rings with meteorite iron. Photo: Gounelle & Mantzourani, J. Archaeol. Sci. , 2026
The Minoan and Mycenaean elite of the Bronze Age might have worn rings fashioned from iron of meteoritic origin. A new study of artifacts from the territory of modern Greece has revealed that this unusual metal was used to create valuable adornments, potentially signifying status and power.
This was reported by Science Alert.
Over a five-year period, scientists examined the chemical composition of over 100 archaeological finds from present-day Greece. The majority of the sample comprised 91 iron objects from the Bronze Age, dating back approximately 3,000 to 3,800 years.
Among the analyzed artifacts were rings, bracelets, knives, and other items. Specialists utilized non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analysis to determine the metal’s composition, allowing for the examination of the finds without causing damage.
As a result, scientists detected nickel in 13 artifacts. According to the study’s authors, these items were likely made from iron of meteoritic origin.
Researchers paid particular attention to the fact that all 13 items with probable meteorite iron were rings. Some of these ornaments also contained precious metals, including gold and silver. The rings featured settings where seals could have been placed. Furthermore, most of these pieces originate from affluent burials, such as tombs in Mycenae. Another ring was discovered by archaeologists in a Minoan necropolis, found on the finger of a deceased individual identified as a probable high priest.
In the opinion of the study’s authors, meteorite rings could have been common possessions of influential members of the Minoan and Mycenaean palace elite.
The iron for their creation might have been sourced from Egypt. Due to Greece’s geography, meteorites there could have disintegrated or fallen into the sea. Conversely, the arid climate of Egyptian deserts contributed to their preservation.
The research also indicated that another 78 analyzed iron artifacts were made from smelted, not meteoritic, metal. Such items could have appeared in Greece around 1400 BCE, although only two finds – a pendant and a ring – are dated to before 1200 BCE.
Objects analyzed during the study. Red dots indicate artifacts likely containing meteorite iron. Photo: Gounelle & Mantzourani, J. Archaeol. Sci., 2026
Scientists hypothesize that the use of smelted iron in Greece commenced later than in Anatolia. It is also possible that some early iron products were imported, notably from Cyprus.
The trend of wearing rings made from meteoritic iron, according to researchers’ estimates, persisted until around 1200 BCE. The reasons for the subsequent disappearance of such adornments are not precisely known. Among potential factors, scientists cite changes in material availability and demand.
It is noted that the use of meteoritic iron in antiquity was not exclusive to the Mediterranean region. Across various parts of the world, it was employed to craft tools, weapons, ornaments, and other items. Notable finds include those from Greenland, China, pre-Columbian America, and Egypt. One of the most famous examples is the dagger of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun.
Earlier, we reported that 22 stone blocks, weighing up to 80 tons, were retrieved from the seabed near the coast of Alexandria. Researchers believe they might have been part of the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria.
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