Hammadah al Hamra 346 (aka. Ghadamis) - L6 Ordinary Chondrite

Hammadah al Hamra 346, also known on the collector market as Ghadamis, is an L6 Ordinary Chondrite from Libya. The Meteoritical Bulletin records it as a find with a possible fall date of 2018, following reports of a large fireball seen and heard over the Jabal al Gharbi region. Formed over 4.5 billion years ago, this meteorite represents ancient asteroid material that has undergone significant thermal metamorphism on its parent body.

This specimen belongs to the ‘L’ group of Ordinary Chondrites, meaning it has relatively low metal content compared with H Chondrites. The petrologic type 6 classification indicates a highly equilibrated structure, where much of the original chondrule definition has been softened by long-term heating within the parent asteroid. Depending on the piece, Hammadah al Hamra 346 may show grey to brown interior material, compact recrystallised texture, fusion crust, desert weathering, or fresh broken surfaces.

For collectors, Hammadah al Hamra 346 is appealing because it combines recognised classification, North African desert provenance, and modern recovery history. Its association with the name Ghadamis and the possible 2018 fireball event give it added context, while its L6 classification makes it a strong example of an equilibrated Ordinary Chondrite. Each piece offers a genuine connection to early solar system material and the ongoing story of meteorite recovery from Libya.