Campo del Cielo

A strewn field in northern Argentina where iron masses of around 30 tonnes are shown where they were dug up.

Key facts

Where

Gancedo, Chaco, Argentina

Kind

Visitor site

Visiting

Open-air site or visitor centre

About 4,000 years ago an iron asteroid broke up over what is now the province of Chaco in northern Argentina and scattered masses of iron over a field about 18 kilometres long, making a series of small craters. Local peoples knew of the iron long before Spanish explorers arrived in the 16th century, and the area's name means field of the sky.

Several giant masses have been dug up. El Chaco, of about 29 tonnes, was found in 1969, and Gancedo, of about 31 tonnes, in 2016. They are among the heaviest meteorites known and are displayed at the site, which is protected by the province. Campo del Cielo is a IAB iron, and smaller pieces are found in many museums.

Highlights

• Campo del Cielo the El Chaco and Gancedo masses Iron, IAB-MG

Related pages

Opening times, what is on display and access to research collections change over time, so check with the institution before you visit.