The archaeological discovery in Spain is considered an ancient treasure crafted using the most sophisticated techniques in the world, utilizing the most precious materials, and with an age of 5,000 years, making it priceless.
This mysterious dagger was unearthed from the Montelirio Tholos megalithic burial site in the Guadalquivir Valley, within the urban area of the ancient prosperous settlement of Seville. The dagger measures 21.6 cm in length with a blade made of transparent crystal and a finely carved ivory handle. Creating such an artifact using prehistoric techniques 5,000 years ago is almost inconceivable.
The crystal symbolizes the vitality of ancient peoples and their connection to their ancestors, which is why stone daggers have been discovered in many places around our planet. However, the discovery in Spain is entirely different; the materials used to make it are far removed from what we are accustomed to, and it remains unclear what purpose this crystal dagger served, as it is quite fragile.
Close-up of the most precious artifact in the lavish tomb – (Photo provided by the research team).
According to a publication in the journal Quaternary International, the ancient tomb where this weapon was buried is very far from crystal deposits. Under the challenging transportation conditions of that era, this indicates that the owner of the dagger was not only wealthy but also belonged to the elite of society, having paid a high price and received priority for acquiring these exquisite materials.
Excavation site of the giant ancient tomb – (Photo provided by the research team).
The Daily Mail cites explanations from the archaeological team from the University of Granada, the University of Seville, and the Spanish National Research Council, stating that these precious daggers were considered the most expensive of their time, made only from flint or some rare stones. In addition to the dagger, a series of other treasures were found, although their value was somewhat lesser due to the handles being made from more common materials, they are still invaluable as they also feature crystal blades. This includes 10 arrowheads and 4 sword blades, along with a weapon-making tool.
Some crystal artifacts excavated from the tomb – (Photo provided by the research team).
The excavation in southern Spain is a collaboration between researchers from the University of Granada, the University of Seville, and the Spanish National Research Council. The teams worked at this site from 2007 to 2010 and published their findings in 2015 detailing the crystal weaponry.
The excavation project in southwestern Spain is a result of collaboration among researchers at the University of Granada, the University of Seville, and the Spanish National Research Council. The tomb is located in the basin of the Guadalquivir Valley. Researchers found crystal at 8 locations within a structure measuring 44m long with a 39m corridor leading to a main chamber over 5m wide. However, exquisite items like arrowheads and dagger blades were located in the southern section.
The study states: “The crafting of a crystal dagger must rely on the accumulation of knowledge and practical skills passed down from the production of flint dagger blades as well as the expertise in creating smaller bifacial objects made from crystal.“
The research team believes that the process of producing crystal daggers certainly depended on the accumulated experience passed down through generations and skills developed while crafting stone blades. The polished surface of the weapon may have been aimed at preventing cracks during shaping. Due to the size of the dagger, researchers speculate it was created from a solid piece of crystal at least 22 cm long and 5 cm thick.
In addition to the weapons, the tomb also contained the remains of 25 individuals. Some women and one man are believed to have died from poisoning. Their remains were scattered around the burial area, along with offerings including ivory, jewelry, ceramics, and an ostrich egg.
In fact, the discovery of ancient artifacts made from crystal is not uncommon. In the past, French knights often affixed pieces of crystal ore to their swords, believing it would enhance their strength. In Tibet, people believed that crystal could help injured soldiers heal faster and recover more quickly.
