Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE MBOZI METEORITE
About 65km southwest of Mbeya is the Mbozi, one of the largest meteorites in
the world, with an estimated weight of 25 metric tonnes, a length of about 3m
and a height of about 1m. Scientists are unsure when it hit the earth, but it is as-
sumed to have been many thousands of years ago, since there are no traces of
the crater that it must have made when it fell, nor any local legends regarding its
origins. Although the site was only discovered by outsiders in 1930, it had been
known to locals for centuries, but not reported because of various associated ta-
boos.
Like most meteorites, the one at Mbozi is composed primarily of iron (90%),
with about 8% nickel and traces of phosphorous and other elements. It was de-
clared a protected monument by the government in 1967 and is now under the
jurisdiction of the Department of Antiquities. The meteorite's dark colour is due
