Baghdad Battery

Baghdad Battery-巴格达电池

T

he Baghdad battery or Parthian Battery is the very first batteries created in Mesopotamia during the dynasties of Parthian or Sassanid period (around 200 B.C.). Some was found around the time of Christ’s birth. The Baghdad Battery described as oldest electric battery in existence for 2200 year old found in the village of Khuyut Rabbou’a, near Baghdad, Iraq discovered in 1936.  These small pots, ancient technology had brought the argument of they may have been galvanic cells（原电池） as they are capable of producing the electrics current, and may used for electroplating gold onto silver objects. What these pots were used for is still being figured out.

Dendera light

Description

The artifacts made of terracotta (bright yellow clay) pots with 5 inches high (13cm) by 3 inches across. The opening was sealed with an asphalt or bitumen plug, which held in place a copper sheet, rolled into a tube. This tube was capped at the bottom with a copper disc held in place by more asphalt. A narrow iron rod was stuck through the upper asphalt plug and hung down into the center of the copper tube-not touching any part of it. Evidence showed that the rod had been corroded with acidic agent, such as vinegar, lemon juice, wine or fermented grape juice. This artifact believed to be able of generating a small electric current. The acidic liquid allows a flow of electron from the copper tube to the iron rod when two metal terminals are connected.

Argument 

In 1940, Wilhelm Konig conjectured that the artifacts are batteries and may use for electroplating gold onto silver. Why Konig have this thought of view?  This is because Konig had observed a number of very fine silver objects from ancient Iraq that were plated with very thin layers of gold.

However, the scientific hypothetical of Konig that the artifacts can generate electric current for electroplating as a use is not well-regarded today. Paul Craddock of the British Museum claimed that the artifacts may have been batteries because they do work.  Making an electric current requires two metals with different electro potentials and an ion carrying solution, known as an electrolyte, to move the electrons between them. Connected in series, a set of batteries could theoretically produce a much higher voltage, though no wires have ever been found that would prove this had been the case. This means that the early interpretation could be completely wrong. There also might be a possible of missing some item. Furthermore, the bitumen completely covers the copper cylinder, electrically insulating it, so no current can be drawn without modifying the design and there are no electrical equipment is associated with them. Until now there are no prove that this artifacts are batteries.

Possible uses

Some have suggested the batteries may have been used medicinally. The ancient Greeks wrote of the pain killing effect of electric fish when applied to soles of the feet. But this tiny voltage would surely have been ineffective against real pain. Other scientists believe the batteries were used for electroplating, that is transferring a thin layer of metal on to another metal surface.

Unbelievable thing!

Ancient Egypt had already appeared the “lamp”, at the period of time of three thousand years ago. The picture below showed the famous Dendera picture.

1.    Priest                       

2.    Ionized fumes

3.    Electric discharge (snake)

4.    Lamp socket (lotos)

5.    Cable (lotos stem)

6.    Air god

7.    Isolator (djer-pillar)

8.    Light bringer thot with knifes

9.    Symbol for “current”

10.  Inverse polarity

11.  Energy storage

On the basis of this picture engineer W. Garn constructed a working device which indeed gave some light. In the book of Krassa/Habeck we find he following sketch and description:

"If we evacuate a glass bulb with two metal parts reaching into it (B), (C), we can see a discharge at much lower levels, depending on the size of the glass balloon (D). At a pressure of about 40 t (tonnes) (40 mm of mercury) a snakelike light filament meanders from one metal part to the other (E). If we evacuate further, the light filament grows wider until it fills the whole glass balloon. This is exactly what we see in on the pictures in the subterranean chambers of the Hathor sanctuary."

This is the basis of the technical interpretation, sounds logical and comprehensible. Unfortunately, the lamp does not work. this is because every “ normal” lamp needs two electrodes to produce light. While the lamp show on the picture in Dendera is only one of six. And from all six pictures this is the only one where something reaches “into” the “bulb”!