Meteorite Bendegó

Consisting of a compact mass of iron and nickel, it is the largest Brazilian meteorite and one of the largest in the world. It was found in 1784 by a boy, Domingos da Motta Botelho, who grazed cattle on a farm near the town of Monte Santo, in the sertão da Bahia. The first attempt to transport the very heavy block to the capital failed when the wooden cart that carried it got off the rails and fell into the Bendego stream. Since 1888, it has been exhibited in the National Museum thanks to the endeavor of the Emperor D. Pedro II, who, taking knowledge of its existence and scientific importance, arranged for its removal to Rio de Janeiro.