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Re: African falls
Jeff Grossman wrote:
>
> If anybody has pieces of, or has seen, both Hamada du Draa
> (a.k.a. Mhamid) and El Hammami, I'd like your input on this:
> could they be the same meteorite? These share many characteristics
> in the reports I have on them:
>
> 1) Both are vaguely "witnessed" falls in NE Africa (Algeria, 1995, and
> Mauritania, 1997, respectively). Both were collected by locals
> (nomads) a few days after they fell.
>
> 2) Both are H5 chondrites, shock stage S2. Olivine comp is similar.
> They were analyzed by UCLA and Munster (Rubin and Weber).
>
> 3) Both have fine metal veining.
>
> 4) Both are huge (over 200 kg).
>
> What do you dealers and collectors think?
>
> -Jeff
Personally, I have not seen El Hammami up close, but have heard it looks
just like Hamada du Draa. The desert nomads have been known to "mix-up"
details regarding the exact location, times, and date of the fall. I
presume they do this so they can say they have two distinct meteorites,
and thus sell both under false prentnce. Quite disturbing. I have seen
others do this as well. I was offered some of a "new Mexican find" by a
gentleman at the denver show. This "new find" was actually Campo del
Cielo from Argentina!! I think this happens quite a bit when dealing
with nomads. Just my 2 cents.
Best Wishes and happy holidays,
--
Matt Morgan
Mile High Meteorites
http://www.mhmeteorites.com
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