The skinny metal bars were found to be a copper-zinc alloy, suggesting they were a bundle of ancient orichalcum. Scientists also believe they’ve found evidence of orichalcum in ancient Roman coins.

This metal is orichalcum, mentioned by Plato, who compared its value to gold. Moreover, orichalcum is linked to the mythical Atlantis, which was said to cover the temples in the sunken city.