Gibeon Meteorite - 64.1g - The Famous Anvil Specimen Used As An Ancient Tool!

You are not only viewing a beautiful Gibeon meteorite that formed in outer space - you are also looking at a piece of ancient history that occurred here on Earth!  The Gibeon meteorite was used and shaped into tools and weapons by indigenous tribes in Namibia for many years. This particular slice we are offering showcases clear evidence of compression and deformation of the pattern due to once being used as an anvil. It's an outstanding example of its kind, featuring a distinctive fine-grained crystal structure that gives it a robust and sturdy appearance.  This is not one you will want to pass on - it's a true piece of history 360 degrees around.

About Gibeon Meteorite:

The Gibeon meteorite has an ancient history that dates back 4.5 billion years, when it formed within the scorching core of a long-lost asteroid. After eons of drifting through the vast expanse of interplanetary space, the asteroid eventually met its demise when it collided with Earth's atmosphere around 4,000 years ago. The fragments scattered across what is now the Kalahari Desert in Namibia, where indigenous tribes-people discovered them and shaped them into tools and weapons. 

Today, we can recover these fragments with the aid of advanced technology, such as metal detectors. Despite their significance, the Gibeon meteorites remained unknown to Westerners until the 19th century, when they were first discovered in 1836. The origin of these meteorites lies deep within the iron core of an asteroid that once orbited between Mars and Jupiter, a region now part of the asteroid belt.

About Iron Meteorites: 

Iron meteorites consist almost entirely of nickel and iron and are thought to originate from the cores of ancient, differentiated asteroids. In the early solar system, these large asteroids underwent internal melting, causing heavier elements like iron and nickel to sink toward their centers—much like the Earth’s own core. Over time, catastrophic collisions shattered these bodies, sending fragments hurtling through space until some eventually landed on Earth as meteorites.

One of the most striking features of iron meteorites is the Widmanstätten pattern—a distinctive interlocking crystalline structure of nickel-iron alloys that can be revealed through careful acid etching. This process requires expert preparation, including stabilization, slicing, and polishing, as even slight errors can damage the specimen. The pattern itself is often called the meteorite’s “thumbprint” because it is entirely unique and cannot be replicated in laboratory conditions. Its formation requires incredibly slow cooling—about one degree Celsius every 10,000 years—making it a visual testament to the vast timescales and processes that shaped our solar system.