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

Rarity and Value
This slice of Erg Chech 002 represents one of the rarest categories of meteorites known to science. Classified as a protoplanetary achondrite, it does not originate from the Moon or Mars, unlike the vast majority of achondrites found on Earth. With a weight of 1.37 grams and precisely cut for study and display, this specimen holds exceptional value for museum collections, scientific institutions, and advanced collectors seeking authentic material from the earliest stages of planetary formation.

Discovery and Significance
Erg Chech 002 was discovered in May 2020 in a remote region of the Sahara Desert. Subsequent research by French and Japanese scientists revealed that the meteorite is a fragment of an ancient protoplanet that formed before Earth itself. Dated to approximately 4.565 billion years, it is currently recognized as the oldest known sample of igneous rock, offering unprecedented insight into the early evolution of the Solar System.

Morphology and Preservation
This thin slice reveals a fine-grained igneous structure dominated by andesite rather than basalt, an extraordinary feature among achondrites. Subtle crystalline textures and natural color variations are visible across the surface, reflecting early volcanic processes on a primordial planetary body. The specimen has been carefully cut to preserve its internal structure, maintaining excellent stability and clarity for close scientific examination.

Human and Scientific Connection
Erg Chech 002 provides a direct physical connection to the dawn of planetary history. As a museum-style artifact, it transforms abstract concepts of protoplanetary evolution into tangible reality. This slice allows scientists, scholars, and viewers to engage directly with material formed before Earth existed, bridging human curiosity with deep cosmic time and preserving a fragment of the earliest known planetary crust.