Orichalcum, the legendary metal of Atlantis, has long captured the imagination of historians and treasure hunters alike. According to Plato, the lost continent of Atlantis was rich in orichalcum, a fire-colored metal second only to gold in value. The metal was said to adorn the buildings of Atlantis, including a Temple of Poseidon and a royal palace, giving them a radiant red glow.
In a recent discovery off the coast of Sicily, divers found dozens of orichalcum ingots in a 2,600-year-old shipwreck. These ingots, made of an alloy primarily consisting of copper and zinc, closely resembled the descriptions of orichalcum in ancient texts. Modern studies suggest that orichalcum was composed of around 80% copper and 20% zinc, with traces of other metals.
Orichalcum was prized for its malleability, resistance to tarnishing, durability, and its resemblance to gold. It was commonly used in the minting of Roman coins, with its value diminishing over time due to changes in the alloy composition and scarcity of zinc minerals. By the reign of Emperor Nero, orichalcum coins were being mixed with lead and tin, eventually leading to the disappearance of orichalcum from coin manufacturing.
Despite the allure of orichalcum and its association with the fabled Atlantis, the recent discovery of orichalcum ingots has reignited speculation about the existence of the lost continent. While the findings off the coast of Sicily have provided tangible evidence of this mysterious metal, the search for Atlantis continues to captivate explorers and historians alike.
