We know very little about the discovery of the Baghdad battery cells, brought to the Iraq Museum in the 1930’s. Those relics were 2,000-year-old clay jars, containing iron rods inside copper cylinders. There were traces of acidic wine, or vinegar, at the bottom of each jar. But the rare artifacts vanished during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Were the Baghdad Batteries Electrochemical Cells?
They were not working batteries in their original state as found. That’s because their copper cylinders did not protrude through their asphalt stoppers, denying an external connection (although their iron rods allowed for it). Historic research produced a current, after working around this shortcoming. However, further investigation became impossible after the ancient Baghdad battery cells vanished.
Discovery TV channel produced ten modern mock-ups in 2005, each containing lemon juice surrounding copper cylinders and iron rod electrodes. When technicians connected these ‘Baghdad Batteries’ in series, they produced an impressive four volts. This was sufficient to electroplate a small object, or activate acupuncture-type needles.
If They Were Primitive Batteries, Then For What?
An ancient technician might have isolated the copper cylinders to avoid accidental electrical short-circuits in storage. Although it would be fanciful to claim they energized ‘light bulbs’ with them, because there is absolutely no evidence that such things existed.
However, Paul Keyser of University of Atlanta, Edmonton does make a case (see link below) for the Baghdad battery cells being used as local pain killers. Apparently, this procedure already existed 2000 years ago, but using electric fish as energy source.
The contemporary form of this treatment is called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). A battery-powered device delivers electric impulses to a patient’s skin near their pain trigger points. This procedure either blocks pain signals, or raises the level of endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain-killing chemicals.
More Information
Make a Baghdad Battery of Your Own
The Chemistry of an Electric Battery
Preview Image: Modern Version of Baghdad Battery
