1.16 gr Erg Chech 002 Achondrite Meteorite – Protoplanetary Igneous Rock, 4.565 Billion Years

Rarity and Value
This slice of Erg Chech 002 represents an exceptionally rare class of meteorites originating from an ancient protoplanet. Unlike most achondrites recovered on Earth, which are typically fragments of Mars or the Moon, Erg Chech 002 belongs to a vanished planetary body that formed in the earliest stages of the Solar System. With a weight of 1.16 grams and carefully prepared dimensions suitable for study and exhibition, this specimen holds significant value for museum collections, academic research, and serious collectors of planetary material.

Discovery and Significance
The meteorite was discovered in May 2020 in a remote region of the Sahara Desert and subsequently named Erg Chech 002 after its find location. Scientific analysis conducted by French and Japanese researchers revealed that it is a fragment of a differentiated protoplanet that formed before Earth. Radiometric dating places its age at approximately 4.565 billion years, making it the oldest known sample of igneous rock and a cornerstone for understanding early planetary crust formation.

Morphology and Preservation
This thin slice exposes a fine-grained igneous texture composed primarily of andesite rather than basalt, a composition that is extremely rare among achondrites. Subtle crystalline structures and natural color variations are visible across the surface, recording early volcanic activity on a primordial planetary body. The slice has been precisely cut to preserve its internal features, maintaining excellent stability and clarity for close observation.

Human and Scientific Connection
Erg Chech 002 offers a direct and tangible connection to the earliest chapter of planetary history. As a museum-style artifact, this slice transforms abstract scientific knowledge into a physical object formed before Earth existed. It allows viewers to engage with material from a lost protoplanet, bridging human curiosity with deep cosmic time and preserving a unique witness to the origins of rocky worlds in the Solar System.