Scientists Come One Step Closer to Solving the Mystery of Atlantis With the Discovery of Mystery Metal in Shipwreck
Shipwrecks have always been important historical structures to explore for experts. It is primarily because the structure often holds valuable glimpses of the past. In the case of the Gela II wreck on the coast of Sicily, the unearthed treasures belong to the elusive Atlantis, Archaeology Magazine stated. As per examinations, the Greek shipwreck dates back to the 5th century BCE.
A prominent treasure unveiled from the ship was Orichalcum. Critias written by Plato claims that the metal alloy was highly valuable in Atlantis, second only to gold. There are also records professing that orichalcum was lining the Temple of Poseidon and Cleito's walls, giving them a red shine. Later it was allegedly used in the minting of Roman coins, Indy100 stated. However, their use sharply declined during Emperor Nero’s reign. Experts think it was because of a decrease in the quantity of zinc (a component of the alloy), in the nearby region. By the time Publius Helvius Pertinax took the throne, the alloy had completely disappeared from the coins al.
The metal was found in the form of 40 ingots by a diver named Francesco Cassarino in 2014 from the shipwreck. Later on, experts confirmed that the findings were indeed the mysterious metal alloy that was discussed in Plato's texts. Analysis unveiled that the Orichalcum as found in the shipwreck composed of 75-80% copper and 14-20% zinc, along with bits of elements like iron, nickel, and lead, Archaeology Magazine stated. The finding delighted the experts. “The discovery of orichalcum ingots is significant because nothing similar has ever been found,” Sebastiano Tusa, former superintendent of Sicily’s Sea Office said. “We knew of orichalcum from ancient texts and a few ornamental objects, but these ingots are unprecedented.”
Researchers decided to explore the ship and found 47 new ingots, a few meters away from the previous finding, Indy100 stated. Experts shared that the ingots were handcrafted by artisans to look like cigars and bars. The discovery of Orichalcum has ignited hope amongst explorers, that the fabled island could be within reach, after decades of pursuit.
In addition to Orichalum, archaeologists have uncovered items like pottery, amphorae, helmets, and personal belongings of the past crew on the ship. In 2024 a recovery operation was conducted by the Superintendence of the Sea of the Sicilian Region, in collaboration with specialized companies Atlantis and Cosiam. The aim was to dismantle the ship's remains on the seafloor, and then kickstart restoration. Gela II shipwreck is placed 1,000 feet underwater and when first located, stunned experts with its remarkable preservation. Underwater archeologists first examined the site in the 1990s, after which many more analyses followed.
Before Gela II, archaeologists excavated another shipwreck Gela I, in the same area. Artifacts collected from that exploration are now housed in a museum in Bosco Littorio and are garnering a lot of tourist intrigue. Authorities are hopeful that the spoils of Gela II, also generate a similar interest. Researchers are looking forward to finding out more about both shipwrecks. “The sea of Gela has returned finds crucial for the reconstruction of its history,” Francesco Paolo Scarpinato, Sicilian regional councilor for Cultural Heritage said.