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LOT 0173A

Massive Campo de Cielo Meteorite - 52.16 kg

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South America, Argentina, Campo del Cielo, ca. 4.5 billion years old, found in the pre-Columbian era. A massive, cloud-shaped rock from a large and extremely heavy iron meteorite from the very famous Campo del Cielo (also Piguem Nonralta) site in Argentina. The 22 plus craters from this 5000 year old collision with a giant space rock were discovered by Europeans around 1576, but were well known by the local inhabitants. In all, over 100 tons of meteorites have been recovered making this the largest meteorite field on record. Size: 10.7" W x 15.5" H (27.2 cm x 39.4 cm); 15.5" H (39.4 cm) on included custom stand. Total weight is 52.16 kg or 115 lbs.

This meteorite also played an interesting role in human history. It provided iron to indigenous people in the region and the Spanish colonists in the area took notice. In 1576, the governor of the province of northern Argentina sent out a military search party to locate the source of the natives' iron weapons. However, it was not until the late 1700s that early natural scientists began to understand the true source of the iron. In 1783, Ruben de Celis used dynamite to clear the area around the craters and discovered that it was not a mine, as previously suspected, but was instead the remains of a single huge mass. Believing the source to be a volcanic eruption, he sent a sample to the Royal Society in London, where it was found to be 90% iron and 10% nickel and thus from a meteor.

Provenance: ex-private Los Angeles, California, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#144798
Condition Report: Dark patina with edges polished from handling.

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Time, Location
23 May 2019
USA, Louisville, KY
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[ translate ]

South America, Argentina, Campo del Cielo, ca. 4.5 billion years old, found in the pre-Columbian era. A massive, cloud-shaped rock from a large and extremely heavy iron meteorite from the very famous Campo del Cielo (also Piguem Nonralta) site in Argentina. The 22 plus craters from this 5000 year old collision with a giant space rock were discovered by Europeans around 1576, but were well known by the local inhabitants. In all, over 100 tons of meteorites have been recovered making this the largest meteorite field on record. Size: 10.7" W x 15.5" H (27.2 cm x 39.4 cm); 15.5" H (39.4 cm) on included custom stand. Total weight is 52.16 kg or 115 lbs.

This meteorite also played an interesting role in human history. It provided iron to indigenous people in the region and the Spanish colonists in the area took notice. In 1576, the governor of the province of northern Argentina sent out a military search party to locate the source of the natives' iron weapons. However, it was not until the late 1700s that early natural scientists began to understand the true source of the iron. In 1783, Ruben de Celis used dynamite to clear the area around the craters and discovered that it was not a mine, as previously suspected, but was instead the remains of a single huge mass. Believing the source to be a volcanic eruption, he sent a sample to the Royal Society in London, where it was found to be 90% iron and 10% nickel and thus from a meteor.

Provenance: ex-private Los Angeles, California, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#144798
Condition Report: Dark patina with edges polished from handling.

[ translate ]
Estimate
Unlock
Time, Location
23 May 2019
USA, Louisville, KY
Auction House
Unlock