Discover the Natural Stone Wonders. Meteorites, Omen from Heaven

Beyond their physical and petrographic characteristics, and no significance for the public, the appearance of meteorites has exerted a constant attraction throughout the ages. As a message delivered from the sky, it was a fascination for many generations, and the magic of the unknown has both delighted and terrified.

Here are a few examples.

H2 ERG Chec 002 - contemporary with the Sun

Discovered in Algeria in 2020, this meteorite is the oldest known lava, crystallized 4.5 billion years ago. The total weight of the celestial body, which crashed on the edge of the Sahara, is over 31 tons. It comes from the crust of a protoplanet, which melted and then crystallized over 100 years. The apparent composition is andesite. Protoplanets covered with andesite crusts are thought to have been common at the time, but the fact that no asteroid has the spectral characteristics of EC002 leads to the conclusion that these bodies are most likely extinct. In light of the latest discoveries, EC Chec 002, the oldest magmatic rock investigated, sheds significant light on the crusts of the original protoplanets.

Gebel Kamil - iron lumps

On the other side of the Sahara, in Egypt's East Uweinat Desert, Kamil Crater has been discovered, a 45 m crater formed at the site of the 5000-year-old Gebel Kamil meteorite crash, an iron boulder estimated at 1.3 m in diameter, but weighing between 5 and 10 tons. On impact with the hard sandstone surface, it broke into thousands of pieces, of which about 800 kg were recovered and analyzed, and the meteorite was found to contain a large amount of nickel along with iron. The iron-nickel combination is an alloy called Kamacit, which reaches Earth exclusively from meteorites, and Gebel Kamil is one of these very rare messengers from the sky.

Hoba - the 'gift' from Heaven

Hoba (Khoekhoegowab = but) is the largest known intact meteorite. Crashed over 80,000 years ago in Namibia, these giants weigh more than 60 tons and are the largest known naturally occurring mass of iron and nickel. With an estimated volume of 6.6 m³, the body is also surprisingly flat on both major surfaces. Could it be a sign of an extraterrestrial civilization? Did it "level off" after entering the atmosphere at a speed of 10 km/sec, only to shrink more than 30 times on impact due to friction? Either way, the iron lump, discovered by pure chance by a Dutch farmer while plowing would be worth over 1300000 USD if we were to go by the price offered at the last auction for a stolen piece of it, so the name "gift" does not seem exaggerated.

Thokcha - Tibetan amulets

Fallen meteorites in Tibet are said to have magical powers. Fragments of these are used to make amulets, protective items for the wearer. The importance of these amulets is comparable to that of "dzi" beads, stone beads (the most valuable are the old ones made of natural agate), which are also considered to have a significant protective role. Iron from Tibetan meteorites has been used for making weapons, musical instruments, and sacred implements, such as the 'phurba', a traditional object used in the meditation rituals of Tibetan Buddhism. But, the 2-15 cm fragments have found an expressive use in the making of "thokcha" amulets, true ornaments with supernatural powers.

Libyan Desert Glass - stone glass

"Only" 26 to 29 million years ago and at "only" 1600° C, glass was formed from stone. There are theories that glass may have meteoric origins, but this is not the only hypothesis about its origin. What is certain is that it took almost pure silicon and temperatures higher than any volcanic rock to obtain Libya's Golden Tektite. A significant relic with religious significance was discovered in Tutankhamun's burial chamber. Located between Libya and Egypt the glass ranges in color from transparent yellow to gold.  It is believed to offer powerful energies aimed at improving personal qualities (willpower, decision-making ability) as well as the health of body and spirit.

Meteorites have been arriving on Earth for millennia, each with its significance, their extraterrestrial origin, associated with the fire of creation and deemed sacred, has generated in the consciousness of civilizations the need for divine protection obtained through them. A need that is still manifest today.

photo source: Wikimedia Commons. TopMeteorite, namibiam.com.na, amusingplanet.com