Baghdad Battery

About

The Baghdad Battery is an ancient artifact discovered in 1936 near Khujut Rabu, Iraq, close to the ancient city of Ctesiphon. It consists of a terracotta pot, a copper cylinder, and an iron rod. The device is believed to date from either the Parthian (150 BCE–223 AD) or Sasanian (224–650 AD) period. Its original purpose remains unclear, with theories suggesting it could have been used as a primitive battery, for electroplating, or for ritualistic purposes. The battery's design allows it to generate a small electric current when filled with an acidic liquid like vinegar. Experiments have replicated this effect, producing about 1.1 volts. Despite these findings, most scholars reject the idea that it was used as a true power source. Alternative theories include its use in early medicinal practices or as a storage container for sacred texts. The artifact's mysterious nature has sparked significant interest and debate among historians and scientists.