Orichalcum: Origins and History

Orichalcum is a legendary metal from antiquity, famously linked to the myth of Atlantis and long shrouded in mystery. Ancient writers described it as a gleaming, golden-colored metal second only to gold in value. The very name derives from Greek oreikhalkos meaning “mountain copper”, hinting at its coppery nature. For centuries its reality was uncertain – some thought it merely a myth – but modern discoveries have shed light on the truth. In 2015, divers off the coast of Sicily found dozens of metal ingots believed to be orichalcum, and scientific analysis revealed them to be a copper–zinc alloy similar to brass. This find helped confirm that orichalcum was a real historical material, albeit one elevated by legend.

Photo by Scott Webb