Orichalcum - the amazing metal of Atlantis (4 photos)
Orichalcum is a mysterious metal mentioned by the ancients. Greeks. They believed that it was widely used in Atlantis. First mentions of orichalcum date back to the 7th century BC. The poet Hesiod mentioned that the shield of Hercules was made of this metal, and the curls of Aphrodite reminiscent of his color. 
Despite the mystical aura surrounding orichalcum, scientists sure that such a metal actually existed. It was used for creation of objects of religious worship, and it was very valuable.
Recently, scientists managed to establish from which elements consisted of orichalcum. Ancient historians reported that in the bay of Res off the coast Sicily, a ship carrying orichalcum sank. It happened in the first half of the 6th century BC 
In 2014, the wreckage of this ship was discovered off the coast Sicily, along with orichalcum. It turned out that orichalcum was high quality brass. It consisted of 75-80% copper and 15-20% zinc, and also contained small amounts of nickel and iron. 
Brass is an alloy based on copper. He has more hardness compared to the individual metals of which it is composed. IN brass is currently used to make machine parts, ships, watches and instruments. 
Zinc as a chemical element was discovered in the 16th century, and then Europeans rediscovered antique brass. In the 19th century brass was actively used in Europe as a fake of gold because of their similarity. Modern brass alloys contain a higher percentage of zinc, which increases strength and plasticity of the material with a zinc content of up to 30%.
