What And Where
Identified at Hopewell Mounds in Ross County this small fragment was recovered from archaeological contexts and is interpreted as a curated meteoritic object used by prehistoric peoples. The association with Hopewell cultural materials makes it important for both archaeology and meteoritics.
Date And Mass of Hopewell Mounds Meteorite
Recovered mass about 0.13 kg from archaeological contexts and recorded as prehistoric in state records. The small mass and worked surfaces indicate cultural modification and use.
Class And Mineralogy of Hopewell Mounds Meteorite
Classified as a stony iron fragment with metal phases kamacite and taenite and minor silicates. Mineralogical signatures can be compared with known meteorite groups to assess provenance and trade connections.
Scientific Significance of Hopewell Mounds Meteorite
Archaeological meteorites provide direct evidence of prehistoric human engagement with extraterrestrial materials. Analytical approaches include non destructive elemental mapping and oxygen isotope analysis to link the object to known falls.