Daring thieves in Argentina tried to make off with more than just your average bounty. Four men in Argentina have been arrested for stealing more than 200 pieces and 3300 pounds of the rare meteorites–or space rock. Among the men were one man from Paraguay and three from the Argentina. It is likely that the men will face time in prison for smuggling so much of the rare space substance, and the rocks can now be returned to where they belong in Argentina.
Significance of the Space Rock
Authorities believe that the pieces of meteorite came from an area known as the “Field of Heaven” not far from where the men were nabbed by police. The site is known for its large density of rare meteorites, and is protected by the government. Meaning that people can go in, but none of the meteorites are legally allowed to leave the site. The area contains dozens of craters. Since 1567 the area has been known by the government, but prior to that the natives described the mysterious origin of the rocks as, “The Natives claimed that the mass had fallen from the sky in a place they called Piguem Nonralta which the Spanish translated as Campo del Cielo (“Field of Heaven”).”
The natives had a very early and curious knowledge of the mysterious site where over a dozen craters littered the earth. The second largest Meterorite ever discovered also resides in the area, “El Chaco” weighs a whopping 81,571 Pounds.
Why try to steal so many rare meteorites from the site?
Chances are the after they took the rare meteorites, the men were then going to turn around and sell the pieces illegally to collectors. There is a large demand for the rocks, because they are incredibly rare. Very few places on earth exist with as many fragments of meteorite as the “Field of Heaven.” In fact this not the first time that someone has attempted the steal and profit from a rock in the region. In 1990 a thief was thwarted trying to sell “El Chaco” to an American collector, and even had the massive stone in transport before being made by a highway police officer.
The stones will be returned safely to where they belong to continue to be shared with all humans, but this isn’t the last time that someone tries to exploit the site for profit.
