A COMPLETE SLICE OF DAR EL KAHAL METEORITE, H5-6 GAO, MALI (22°5’ N, 2°32’ W)

A COMPLETE SLICE OF DAR EL KAHAL METEORITE
H5-6
Gao, Mali (22°5’ N, 2°32’ W)
This complete slice is embued with variegated matrix whose hues range from walnut to cinnamon. A veritable galaxy of iron-nickel flecks, a signature feature of many stone meteorites are displayed to outstanding effect. Modern cutting.

228 x 117 x 3mm. (9 x 4⅔ x ⅛in.)
300g.

Please note that this lot is the property of a private collector.

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Lot Essay

A COMPLETE SLICE REVEALS DAR EL KAHAL’S EXQUISITE MATRIX

After having fallen to Earth hundreds of years earlier, the first specimen of Dar el Kahal was found in 2012 by a nomad searching for artifacts near the salt mines of northern Mali. Following its recovery a systematic search ensued. Dar El Kahal is a breccia (a rock composed of smaller fragments fused together). It is comprised of very metamorphosed, highly recrystallized type-6 chondritic material and somewhat less-metamorphosed, moderately recrystallized type-5 fragments. The rock was shattered, shocked and heated on its parent asteroid long before it was launched on its journey toward Earth. The variations of tonality now seen are in part due to this being a breccia and also as a result of the meteorite remaining on the desert floor exposed to the elements for centuries.

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 note.