Meteor Impactite | Libyan "Desert Glass"

Libyan Desert Glass is a natural impactite formed in the eastern Sahara, most famously within the Great Sand Sea of modern-day Libya and neighboring Egypt. This pale yellow to greenish glass formed when an intense meteor-related event released enormous heat that melted surface sands, rapidly cooling into glass scattered across the desert. Unlike volcanic glass, its chemistry reflects the fusion of quartz-rich sand under extreme temperatures likely generated by a large atmospheric explosion or impact, making it one of the most unusual natural glasses found on Earth.

The material has been known since antiquity and was valued by ancient civilizations for its distinctive color and translucence. One of the most famous historical uses is a carved scarab made from this glass set into the pectoral of Tutankhamun. Scientifically, Libyan Desert Glass is studied as evidence of high-energy cosmic events and the processes that form natural impact glasses. Its composition, structure, and distribution across the desert provide insight into how meteor-related explosions can transform ordinary sand into durable glass that persists in harsh desert environments for millions of years.

Ancient Artifacts guarantees the Authenticity of items sold through a three layer system of protection: 

1. Ancient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from trusted and reputable antique distributors, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.  
2. Next, the Artifact is inspected by an expert team member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged. 
3. Finally, Ancient Artifacts gives an additional layer of protection by promising a full refund with no questions asked, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process.

Your impactite will look very similar to the one shown in the photos. There will always be some variety, given our items are unique historical pieces. The display case included is openable so that you may easily handle and closely observe the artifact.If for whatever reason you get anything that does not fit this description you are entitled to your money back! 

Fragments of this glass were created when an extreme meteor-related event in the Sahara generated enough heat to melt surface sand, forming natural glass that cooled and hardened across a broad area of desert. Over millions of years the material remained scattered across the surface and shallow sands of the Great Sand Sea in what is now Libya and neighboring Egypt, where the dry environment helped preserve the pieces with little erosion. Most examples known today come from systematic surface collection in these desert fields, after which they are sorted, studied, and authenticated. From there the material enters the modern geological and meteorite trade, moving through specialized dealers and auctions where pieces are cataloged and distributed as documented examples of natural impact glass.