Lot Description:
The cut flat and polished surface is primarily rendered in dark variegated earth tones. Long veins primarily composed of iron-rich oxides, hydroxides and clay transverse the length of the specimen. Patches of less-weathered zones are seen at the upper-right and bottom of the mass. The exterior surface is furrowed in milk to dark chocolate hues dappled with tan and light grey accents. It resembles the bark of some specimens of petrified wood — the result of terrestrialization on Earth and the onset of secondary mineral phases in the fossilization process.
269 x 168 x 99mm (10.66 x 6.66 x 4 in.)
5.849kg (12.75 lbs)

A rare fossil meteorite that originates from a meteorite shower that occurred approximately 23,000 years ago. First discovered in 2004 this meteorite originates from the large meteorite shower that occurred approximately 23,000 years ago. NWA 2965 experienced so much weathering (terrestrialization) during its lengthy stay on Earth, at first glance it does not appear to be a meteorite. However, its chemistry insists otherwise and scientific analysis has shown the mass from which this meteorite originates experienced a massive shock event in interplanetary space. While there are other enstatite impact melts, this meteorite is unique in that it is vesicular. As a result of extensive weathering, secondary phases of NWA 2965’s minerology developed. As this altered the meteorite’s bulk chemistry, this meteorite is rightly referred to as a fossil meteorite.

Christie's would like to thank Dr. Alan E. Rubin at the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles for his assistance in preparing this catalogue.