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Iron from the stars
Experts reveal that an axe-like object found in a sacrificial pit at the Bronze Age site of Sanxingdui (2800-600 BC) in south-west China was made of iron from a meteor. Only a handful of other meteoric iron artefacts have been found in the country, mostly in northern regions, and this is believed to be the earliest known example from the Chinese Bronze Age. Interestingly, unlike the other artefacts, which frequently combine meteoric iron with bronze, the find from Sanxingdui appears to be made entirely from iron, pointing to distinctive metallurgical practices in this area. Researchers also suspect that the axe-like object may have had symbolic significance, given its discovery alongside other artefacts deposited and burned in a ceremonial context. The results of the research to date have been published in Archaeological Research in Asia (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ara.2026.100692).
Toltec altar at Tula
Archaeologists from INAH have unearthed a momoztli or altar just outside Tula, the ancient capital of the Toltecs, in Hidalgo, Mexico. The structure, which is believed to correspond to the Tollan phase of the ancient metropolis (AD 900-1150), is square in shape, measuring about 1m along each side, and is composed of three stone levels. Around the altar, archaeologists uncovered incomplete human remains, including skulls and long bones, as well as ceramic vessels, obsidian fragments, and blades; these items are believed to be sacrificial offerings. Excavations also identified the remains of walls nearby, suggesting that the altar was located in the centre of a courtyard. Analysis of the skeletal remains and other finds are currently under way.
An epic discovery
A papyrus fragment inscribed with part of Homer’s Iliad has been found placed on the abdomen of a Roman-era Egyptian mummy. The discovery, which dates to c.1,600 years ago, was made during investigations by the Oxyrhynchus Archaeological Mission (University of Barcelona) in the Egyptian town of Al Bahnasa, ancient Oxyrhynchus, an important city of Greco-Roman Egypt. The site has been investigated intermittently for over a century, and pieces of papyrus associated with mummies have been found previously, but these are all magical or ritualistic in content. Excavations have also found other papyri at Oxyrhnchus, including important Greek literary texts. However, this is first time a Greek literary papyrus has been found deliberately incorporated into the mummification process. Analysis by conservators and specialists has identified the text as belonging to a famous passage cataloguing ships in Book II of Homer’s epic poem.
Text: Amy Brunskill / Image: Gerardo Peña, INAH
