Are eternal values truly everlasting?
Published: 03:11 PM,Nov 05,2023 | EDITED : 07:11 PM,Nov 05,2023
Amidst the fringes of India's bustling capital, Delhi, nestled within the ornate fence of the Qutub Minar mosque, stands an enigmatic testament to human ingenuity - a colossal iron column. This monumental artefact has stood the test of time for over sixteen centuries, its most astonishing trait being its resistance to rust. What secrets lie within this exceptional purity of iron, and what does its enduring presence reveal about the ever-evolving concept of value? Intriguingly, while some common iron objects succumb to the relentless march of rust, this ancient iron giant remains unscathed, standing stoically under the sun and rain as if it were cast just yesterday.
The Iron Age dawned upon humanity following the Copper Age, when the knowledge of smelting iron was still in its infancy. Initially, iron's utility was limited to decorative purposes. The Hittites, early masters of metalworking, revered iron as a symbol of power. Crowns of kings and regal symbols were meticulously crafted from this scarce and coveted metal. During this epoch, the value of iron far surpassed that of gold, a measure of its exceptional rarity.
Ancient civilizations regarded iron as a divine gift from the heavens, and this reverence persisted for centuries. Hittite rulers believed that they enjoyed special favor from the divine realm as they possessed the exclusive reserves of this celestial metal.
Over the eons of Earth's existence, countless meteorites have descended upon its surface, contributing to a substantial layer of metallic riches. The Hittite monopoly endured for several centuries, but the secrets of metalworking couldn't be concealed indefinitely. The once-plentiful meteoric iron supply dwindled, prompting the exploration of new sources through ore extraction.
In the earliest days of the Iron Age, tools and weaponry relied heavily on meteorite iron. While the value of iron eventually diminished, it retained its significance among warriors, who esteemed iron rings and insignia over gold. Remarkably, this iron-crafting culture persevered through history. Even during World War II, Germany's highest military honor was the Iron Cross.
Gold, however, managed to stage a remarkable comeback, once again becoming the ultimate prize for armies besieging medieval cities. Vikings, on their triumphant returns from European and Middle Eastern raids, flaunted their wealth with gold chains, pearls, and ostentatious adornments. Their fierce warriors, bedecked in silk and smelling of incense, embodied a stark contrast to the austere origins of their homeland. Presumably, their wives, smelling of fish and sheepskins, were quite embarrassed by such a display of luxury.
For centuries, Scandinavian warbands held sway until new conquerors emerged on the vast Eurasian expanse—the Mongols and, later, the Turks. Yet, the thirst for conquest and riches endured, shifting its focus from precious metals to lands abundant in spices, minerals, coal, and oil. Rainbow-colored securities, stocks, became more alluring than banknotes. In a quiet revolution, the foremost measure of wealth transitioned from gold to entries in shareholder registers, and vast financial empires rose and fell with unprecedented speed.
But where does gold—the former titan of markets and dreams—reside today? Gold remains ubiquitous, especially in India, where women hold vast quantities of gold jewelry, amassing a wealth equivalent to, if not exceeding, the combined gold reserves of entire nations such as the United States and Germany. The celebration of life, however, takes a different path elsewhere.
First, Bitcoin reshaped paradigms, revealing that a digital coin could transform ordinary individuals into overnight millionaires. Cruise ships carried hordes of newfound princes and princesses, rejoicing in their unexpected fortunes.
Recently, the family of virtual currencies expanded further, with official digital currencies steadily gaining prominence. The world hurtles towards a future where money, as we've known it for millennia, may vanish entirely.
If ancient civilizations considered iron a gift from the gods, can we regard the emerging world of values in a similar light? Only time will unveil the secrets hidden within the ever-changing landscape of human worth.
The Iron Age dawned upon humanity following the Copper Age, when the knowledge of smelting iron was still in its infancy. Initially, iron's utility was limited to decorative purposes. The Hittites, early masters of metalworking, revered iron as a symbol of power. Crowns of kings and regal symbols were meticulously crafted from this scarce and coveted metal. During this epoch, the value of iron far surpassed that of gold, a measure of its exceptional rarity.
Ancient civilizations regarded iron as a divine gift from the heavens, and this reverence persisted for centuries. Hittite rulers believed that they enjoyed special favor from the divine realm as they possessed the exclusive reserves of this celestial metal.
Over the eons of Earth's existence, countless meteorites have descended upon its surface, contributing to a substantial layer of metallic riches. The Hittite monopoly endured for several centuries, but the secrets of metalworking couldn't be concealed indefinitely. The once-plentiful meteoric iron supply dwindled, prompting the exploration of new sources through ore extraction.
In the earliest days of the Iron Age, tools and weaponry relied heavily on meteorite iron. While the value of iron eventually diminished, it retained its significance among warriors, who esteemed iron rings and insignia over gold. Remarkably, this iron-crafting culture persevered through history. Even during World War II, Germany's highest military honor was the Iron Cross.
Gold, however, managed to stage a remarkable comeback, once again becoming the ultimate prize for armies besieging medieval cities. Vikings, on their triumphant returns from European and Middle Eastern raids, flaunted their wealth with gold chains, pearls, and ostentatious adornments. Their fierce warriors, bedecked in silk and smelling of incense, embodied a stark contrast to the austere origins of their homeland. Presumably, their wives, smelling of fish and sheepskins, were quite embarrassed by such a display of luxury.
For centuries, Scandinavian warbands held sway until new conquerors emerged on the vast Eurasian expanse—the Mongols and, later, the Turks. Yet, the thirst for conquest and riches endured, shifting its focus from precious metals to lands abundant in spices, minerals, coal, and oil. Rainbow-colored securities, stocks, became more alluring than banknotes. In a quiet revolution, the foremost measure of wealth transitioned from gold to entries in shareholder registers, and vast financial empires rose and fell with unprecedented speed.
But where does gold—the former titan of markets and dreams—reside today? Gold remains ubiquitous, especially in India, where women hold vast quantities of gold jewelry, amassing a wealth equivalent to, if not exceeding, the combined gold reserves of entire nations such as the United States and Germany. The celebration of life, however, takes a different path elsewhere.
First, Bitcoin reshaped paradigms, revealing that a digital coin could transform ordinary individuals into overnight millionaires. Cruise ships carried hordes of newfound princes and princesses, rejoicing in their unexpected fortunes.
Recently, the family of virtual currencies expanded further, with official digital currencies steadily gaining prominence. The world hurtles towards a future where money, as we've known it for millennia, may vanish entirely.
If ancient civilizations considered iron a gift from the gods, can we regard the emerging world of values in a similar light? Only time will unveil the secrets hidden within the ever-changing landscape of human worth.