Mysterious 3,000-year-old axe of extraterrestrial origin rewrites history of ancient civilizations
Archaeologists are stunned after discovering a more than 3,000-year-old axe in Indonesia that shows signs of extraterrestrial origin.
Believed to be a Bronze Age relic, the conical axe was forged from a meteorite and likely served as a status symbol rather than a practical tool.
The discovery challenges what is known about the materials, skills and ingenuity of ancient civilizations.
Previously, archaeologists believed ancient Indonesians primarily used locally available metals such as copper, bronze and stone.
The discovery of this rare axe offers compelling evidence that ancient communities in Kalimantan, where it was found, had advanced beyond the Stone Age, mastering sophisticated metalworking techniques for symbolic, social and possibly ceremonial purposes.
The remarkable journey of this ancient axe did not start in a dig site, but in the hands of a local farmer washing gold.
Over time, the artifact became part of his collection alongside other intriguing finds, including traditional stone axes and ancient beads belonging to the Dayak tribe, the indigenous people of Kalimantan (Borneo).
While local legends have claimed that such objects appeared where lightning strikes, researchers suggest the axe may have been crafted using advanced metalworking techniques, potentially even from melted meteorite material.
The stunning axe was found by a local famer while panning for gold and recently caught the attention of archeologists who suspected the artifact was made from meteorite metal
Yet it was a conical-shaped axe that immediately captured the attention of experts, who were struck by its unusual design and exceptional craftsmanship.
Hartatik, a member of the Banjar Regency Cultural Heritage Expert Team (TACB), highlighted the conical axe, locally called 'Gigi Petir' or Untu Gledek, as an artifact of both cultural and historical significance, ArkeoNews reported.
Archaeologist Ida Bagus Putu Prajna Yogi, who was among the first to examine the find, said: 'In all my years studying Kalimantan's archaeology, I have never seen a conical axe like this.'
Experts emphasize that verifying the axe’s authenticity is crucial.
Determining the context of its discovery, including when and how it was found, and whether it was inherited or directly uncovered, is essential to ensure historical accuracy and guard against potential forgery.
Meteorite metal has been found across many cultures, which used the material to make stunning pieces of jewelry.
In February, Archaeologists working in southern Poland uncovered three bracelets and a pin containing metallic iron found only in meteorites.
The pieces were pulled from two Early Iron Age cemeteries, dating between 750 to 600 BC.
The discovery changes what experts previously believed about the ancient people of Indonesia in that they were more skilled at mastering sophisticated metalworking techniques for symbolic, social and possibly ceremonial purposes
In February, archaeologists identified four artifacts from ancient cemeteries in Poland that feature iron from a meteorite
The team used different techniques, including X-rays to peer inside objects and another that uses a beam of electrons to create high-resolution images of objects, to determine the elemental composition of the artifacts.
The results showed high concentrations of smelted ore and meteoric iron that appeared to have come from a single space rock.
The high nickel levels in the iron suggested the jewelry was made from an ataxite meteorite that features a mirror-like finish.
The researchers also said that the mixing of the iron sources was likely done on purpose to create patterns on the pieces.
If the hypothesis can be proven, it would make these artifacts the oldest known version of patterned iron.
Researchers in Spain made a similar discovery in 2024, finding artifacts were made with 'alien metals' 3,000 years ago.
Researchers in Spain made a similar discovery in 2024, finding artifacts were made with 'alien metals' 3,000 years ago
Scientists conducted a new analysis of the Treasure of Villena, a hoard of 59 gold-plated objects found in 1963, finding two objects featured meteoric iron.
A gold-coated cap and bracelet contained the extraterrestrial material from a meteor that crashed into Earth one million years ago, according to the team's estimates.
The artifacts were discovered by archaeologist José Maria Soler in December 1963, while he and his team were excavating a dry river bed called the 'Rambla del Panadero' - about seven miles from Villena.
The study explained that meteorite iron is found in certain types of stony meteorites, composed mainly of silicates, a salt made of silicon and oxygen.
'Since they come from outer space, are composed of an iron-nickel alloy with a variable nickel composition greater than five percent by weight,' researchers wrote.
'They also contain other minor and trace chemical elements, cobalt being one of the most significant.'
