Bowls of Axtroki, Bronze Age gold bowls at National Archaeological Museum, Spain.
The Bowls of Axtroki are two nested gold vessels housed in the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid. They display carefully crafted geometric patterns across their surfaces and date to the Late Bronze Age.
The bowls were discovered in Spain's Basque region and date to the Late Bronze Age, a period of advanced metalworking. Their discovery shows that prehistoric societies already mastered complex gold-working techniques.
The vessels belong to a specialized category of Bronze Age metalwork that connects them to similar artifacts found across Western Europe during this period.
The bowls are on display in the permanent collection of the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid and accessible during regular opening hours. Visitors can view the ancient gold vessels up close in a dedicated display case.
The geometric patterns on the bowls may relate to astronomical observations and suggest their possible use in ceremonial or scientific purposes. This feature makes them rare examples of the connection between craftwork and early astronomical knowledge.
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