A 2,000-year-old electric battery

The discovery of the Parthian Battery near Baghdad in 1936 has intrigued scholars and historians alike, offering a glimpse into the possibility of ancient electrical experimentation. Estimated to be around 2,000 years old, the clay jar filled with a vinegar solution, housing an iron rod encased by a copper cylinder, suggests electrochemical capabilities, generating approximately 1.1 to 2.0 volts of electricity when filled with an electrolyte.

Experiments conducted by Western scientists have demonstrated that when the jar of the battery was filled with vinegar or other electrolytes, it exhibited the ability to generate approximately 1.5-2.0 volts of electricity. (PH๏τo source: Tehran Times)

Despite the lack of a written record detailing the exact function of these jars, some scholars believe they were used as batteries, potentially for electroplating purposes, while others remain skeptical. The destruction of Iranian literary sources and libraries by Arabs in the 7th century AD has further complicated efforts to uncover the true purpose of these artifacts.

The discovery challenges conventional theories, suggesting that the concept of a battery may have existed long before the famous scientist Alessandro Volta’s invention of the modern battery. If the Parthian Battery indeed functioned as a battery, it would predate Volta’s invention by over a millennium, reshaping our understanding of ancient technological capabilities.

A diagram illustrating the ancient Parthian battery

In the broader context of the development of electricity and power, the discovery of the Parthian Battery adds another layer to the timeline of human fascination and experimentation with electricity. From the ancient Egyptians’ recording of electric fish to Thales of Miletus’ discovery of static electricity, each milestone contributes to our evolving understanding of this fundamental force of nature.

Related Posts

f

c

Marcus Jordan sped away from cops, name-dropped dad before troubling DUI arrest, dashcam video shows

Marcus Jordan sped away from cops, name-dropped dad before troubling DUI arrest, dashcam video shows

New dashcam footage shows the police pursuit Marcus Jordan was involved in before being arrested for DUI by the Maitland Police Department on Tuesday morning. Jordan, the…

After years of  million restoration project, the Palestinian Tourism and Antiquities Ministry unveiled one of the largest floor mosaics in the world, in the West Bank city of Jericho.

After years of $12 million restoration project, the Palestinian Tourism and Antiquities Ministry unveiled one of the largest floor mosaics in the world, in the West Bank city of Jericho.

Resembling a fine carpet, the vast mosaic covers 8,998 square feet of Hisham’s Palace, an Ummayad desert castle dating from to the eighth century. One tableau includes…

The Thracian Chariot: A 2,000-Year-Old Marvel from the Realm of Mythology

The Thracian Chariot: A 2,000-Year-Old Marvel from the Realm of Mythology

A Glimpse into an Ancient Civilization In the heart of rural Bulgaria, an extraordinary discovery was made – a 2,000-year-old wooden chariot, intricately decorated with scenes from…

Ancient Cave Art in Madhya Pradesh: Signs of Possible Encounters with Otherworldly Beings

Ancient Cave Art in Madhya Pradesh: Signs of Possible Encounters with Otherworldly Beings

01 Th11 In the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh, India, a remarkable discovery has emerged: 10,000-year-old cave paintings that hint at possible ancient encounters with beings beyond…

Ancient giant revealed: Archaeologists unearth giant skeleton and ‘mobile phone’, revealing incredible evidence of a forgotten era.mariko

Ancient giant revealed: Archaeologists unearth giant skeleton and ‘mobile phone’, revealing incredible evidence of a forgotten era.mariko

Such archeology known as forbidden, because if the evidence have been accepted by official science, it would be necessary to change the books on the evolution and…