Electrical Batteries from the Parthian Period

Thousands of years old electrolytic batteries, 14cm high, with a lead coated iron rod inside a copper cylinder are on display in the National Museum of Baghdad. Bitumen was used as an insulation material for the metals, some of which are presumably unknown alloys. Most of these electrical cells were found in the vicinity of today's capital of Baghdad. They are said to date back to the Parthian period, more than 2000 years ago. In 1978, German Egyptologist and museum director Dr. Arne Eggebrecht demonstrated in the presence of electrical engineers that these objects do actually work. Filled with tartaric, acetic or citric acid, these clay vessels generate an electrical voltage of 0.5V. This proves that the "magic devices" must have been ancient batteries used to gold-plate small figures.

Bitumen seal  
Tartaric, acetic or citric acid  
Vase shaped clay enclosure
Iron rod
Copper cylinder
Bitumen coat
Copper cap

Places of discovery: 1936 during excavations in the Khujut Rabuā area, around the ancient town of Seleukia and the Parthian metropolis of Ktesiphon in Iraq.