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Writer's pictureBaba Mulani

The Baghdad Battery



The 'Baghdad Battery' is a mysterious ancient artifact that has puzzled historians and archaeologists for decades. It is believed to date back to the Parthian era, around 250 BC, and was discovered in the ruins of the ancient city of Baghdad. The Baghdad Battery is a small clay jar that measures around 6 inches tall, with a cylindrical shape and a narrow neck. Inside the jar, there is a copper cylinder that surrounds an iron rod. The jar is filled with an acidic substance, believed to be vinegar or some other type of electrolyte.


The purpose of the Baghdad Battery has been the subject of much speculation and debate. Some experts believe that it may have been used as a galvanic cell, which is a type of battery that produces an electrical current. This would have made it possible to generate electricity for medical treatments or for electroplating, a process that was used to coat metal objects with a thin layer of gold or silver.


Another theory is that the Baghdad Battery was used as a storage container for sacred scrolls, with the iron rod and copper cylinder serving as electrodes to prevent the scrolls from decaying. This theory is based on the fact that the ancient civilizations of the Middle East placed great value on preserving their sacred texts, and would have gone to great lengths to ensure their longevity.


Despite the various theories surrounding the Baghdad Battery, its exact purpose remains a mystery. The lack of historical records or written evidence makes it difficult to determine what the ancient people of Baghdad actually used it for. Nevertheless, the Baghdad Battery remains an important artifact that sheds light on the technological advancements of ancient civilizations.

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