{"product_id":"winona-meteorite-specimen-rare-prototype-winonaite-primitive-achondrite-arizona-meteorite","title":"Winona Meteorite Specimen Rare Prototype Winonaite Primitive Achondrite Arizona Meteorite","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn authentic specimen of the legendary Winona meteorite, one of the most scientifically important and historically significant American meteorites ever discovered. Found in 1928 near Winona, Arizona, this extraordinary meteorite became the \u003cstrong\u003eprototype specimen for the rare meteorite class now officially known as the Winonaites\u003c\/strong\u003e — a highly unusual group of primitive achondrites representing a critical transitional stage in asteroid evolution.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWinona is exceptionally important in meteoritics because it serves as the defining reference specimen for all other officially classified Winonaites. These meteorites are believed to represent material from an ancient parent asteroid that underwent thermal metamorphism and partial differentiation, preserving characteristics between primitive chondrites and fully differentiated stony-iron meteorites.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eOfficial Classification\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eName:\u003c\/strong\u003e Winona\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCountry:\u003c\/strong\u003e United States\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eState:\u003c\/strong\u003e Arizona\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYear Found:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1928\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClassification:\u003c\/strong\u003e Winonaite (Primitive Achondrite)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTotal Known Weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMeteorite Group:\u003c\/strong\u003e Winonaite\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe meteorite was discovered during archaeological excavations within Sinagua pueblo ruins near Winona, Arizona. The unusual burial context has led to longstanding speculation that ancestral Native inhabitants may have witnessed the meteorite fall and intentionally preserved it as a sacred or culturally significant object.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eScientifically, Winonaites are among the rarest and most fascinating meteorites known because they preserve evidence of:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePartial asteroid differentiation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThermal metamorphism\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrimitive silicate chemistry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMetal-silicate transitional structure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEarly solar system planetary formation processes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWinona material may display:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePyroxene-rich structure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOlivine and nickel-iron metal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrecciated textures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrimitive achondritic mineralogy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMetal-silicate transitional features\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eBecause Winona serves as the type specimen for the entire Winonaite class, it occupies an elite category among collectors of:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRare meteorites\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrimitive achondrites\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArizona meteorites\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScientifically important meteorites\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMuseum-quality planetary specimens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHistoric American meteorites\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eOnly a small number of officially classified Winonaites are known worldwide, making authentic Winona material exceptionally desirable among advanced meteorite collectors and institutions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA remarkable extraterrestrial artifact representing a rare transitional stage in the evolution of ancient asteroids during the earliest history of the solar system.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote:\u003c\/strong\u003e Micro specimen.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Please review all photos carefully for overall condition, natural texture, fractures, weathering, cut surfaces, and preparation characteristics, as they are considered part of the description. Meteorites are natural extraterrestrial objects and commonly display structural variation, oxidation, and natural impact-related features.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Prospector's Vault","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42420035977298,"sku":null,"price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0575\/8805\/6146\/files\/IMG_3760.jpg?v=1779594601","url":"https:\/\/prospectorsvault.com\/products\/winona-meteorite-specimen-rare-prototype-winonaite-primitive-achondrite-arizona-meteorite","provider":"Prospector's Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}