Representative ImageMeteorites
·Real Fossil
Sahara Chondrite Meteorite Fragment
- Real Fossil
- 4.56 billion years
- Ships worldwide
£9.99
Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
● In stock — dispatched within 2 working days
A genuine fragment of the early solar system, this Sahara Chondrite is older than the Earth itself and represents a primitive component of the asteroid belt. These meteorite fragments can vary in size and shape considerably. They are typically 1-2cm deep and 2-3cm long and across.
Gift Suitable
Boxed display perfect for young collectors
Specimen Details
Species
Ordinary Chondrite (NWA)
Age
4.56 billion years
Period
Pre-Solar System / Hadean Equivalent
Origin
Sahara Desert, Northwest Africa (NWA)
Formation
NWA (Northwest Africa) Undetermined
Type
Genuine fossil
Display
Compact and stable; ideal for a small display case or desk specimen.
Listing
Representative image — similar to photo
Gift suitable
Yes
About This Fossil
This specimen is a genuine ordinary chondrite meteorite recovered from the arid plains of the Sahara Desert in Northwest Africa. Formed during the foundational era of our solar system, these meteorites are remnants of ancient asteroids that remained largely unchanged while the planets were still coalescing. Unlike terrestrial rocks, which are subject to constant tectonic and volcanic recycling, this material has remained remarkably pristine since its formation billions of years ago.
The fragment exhibits the characteristic weathered exterior common to Northwest African (NWA) finds. Its profile and fractured edges reveal a storied history, likely representing a smaller section of a larger stone that shattered upon impact or weathered apart over centuries in the desert. Ordinary chondrites are highly prized by educators and enthusiasts alike for their profound age—making them older than any rock naturally formed on the surface of the Earth.
Formation & Preservation
Chondrites are named for the 'chondrules' they contain—tiny, spherical mineral grains that formed within the protoplanetary disk before the Earth existed. These droplets of molten rock cooled rapidly in space and were subsequently incorporated into larger asteroids.
Because these parent bodies never underwent melting or differentiation into a core and crust, the material remains a primitive record of the solar system's chemical composition. This specific fragment survived a high-velocity descent through Earth’s atmosphere, where intense frictional heat created a charred surface, before coming to rest in the Moroccan or Algerian Sahara.
What Makes This Specimen Special
This specimen is notable for its lack of heavy oxidation, a common issue with older desert finds. The visible surface texture provides a tactile connection to the asteroid belt, and if inspected closely, one can often discern the faint outlines of the iron-nickel flecks and silicate chondrules that define the internal structure of an ordinary chondrite.
Authenticity & Sourcing
Real vs Replica
- This is a genuine fossil. Authenticity guaranteed in writing.
- You will receive a specimen similar to the one shown — see Natural Variation below.
Ethical Sourcing
- Sourced from established, long-standing suppliers and known commercial sites — never protected, scientifically significant, or restricted localities.
- ✓We will not knowingly handle fossils removed in breach of any country's heritage or export laws.
Origin & Natural Variation
Stated origin (Sahara Desert, Northwest Africa (NWA)) and formation (NWA (Northwest Africa) Undetermined) reflect the best information from our supplier and accepted geological literature. Where exact locality cannot be independently verified, we describe the formation rather than a single quarry.
Fossils are natural objects. Expect minor variation in colour, matrix, mineralisation, and surface detail. Any significant repair, restoration, or composite preparation is disclosed in the description — we never present restored areas as original without saying so.
Read our full authenticity guarantee or the authenticity & sourcing clause in our terms.
Shipping, Returns & Packaging
• UK shipping: Free on orders over £50. Standard £3.95.
• International: Available worldwide. Rates at checkout.
• Packaging: Individually wrapped, cushioned, and boxed. Fragile specimens receive extra protection.
• Dispatch: Usually within 1–2 working days.
• Returns: 30-day returns. Contact us first. Item must be in original condition.