It’s four billion years old – the same age as the earth itself.

And this space rock has just sold at auction for over £14,000, becoming one of the oldest items ever sold.

Found in the early 20th century, it looks unassuming but in fact is extremely rare and valuable.

It is an iron meteorite of the octahedral rite type, from the world-renowned Muonionalusta meteorites collection.

And although it is only 26 x 23 x 17cm, it weighs 26.5kg – that’s four stone, or the weight of a child.

It comes from a town in Pajalam Norrbotten, Sweden was sold at auction hosted by Catawiki on Sunday.

Claes Hain, country manager for the Nordic region, said: ‘Holding this kind of auction is great fun for Catawiki. The meteorite is, after all, a bit of Swedish space history.

‘The question is, whether the person who buys it is from Sweden or whether the Meteorite will have to be transported to somewhere else in the world.’

The buyer has been given a certificate that guarantees its authenticity.

Source:
courtesy of METRO

by Jen Mills

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