The first theory on the origin of these samples was initiated due to the relatively high hardness value obtained for the iron core of sample T1,2. It is well known that very hard iron alloys can be found naturally in meteorite samples. In fact, several characteristics of the specimens are similar to certain meteorite-type materials. Meteorites can be a complex combination of many different elements (see for example, McSween, 1987). This is the case particularly for sample T3, which contains at the very least 11 elements: Na, Al, Si, P, Cl, Ca, Fe, Ni, Cu, Mo & Sn. Typical of iron and stony-iron meteorites is the classic "Widmanstatten structure", consisting of lamelae (plate or needle-shaped crystals) of kamacite (alpha-iron) and/or taenite (gamma-iron), formed during the slow cooling of meteoroids [McSween, 1987; Budka et al., 1996]. Interspersed with the metal grains are other minerals rich in iron and/or nickel such as troilite, FeS, and schreibersite, (Fe,Ni)_3P. Based on my examination, the samples in question could possibly fit into this framework. Elemental analysis done by X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) indicated iron and phosphorus as major constituents of the cladding material surrounding the iron core. The (EDS) patterns resemble those recently reported for iron dendrites found in pockets and veins of the Yanshuang H6 meteorite [Brooks, et. al., 1995]. In addition, I identified a calcium phosphate mineral as a possible phase within the cladding of both samples.Interestingly, chlorapatite, Ca_5(PO_4)_3Cl is among the more common meteorite minerals [Wasson, 1974]. This would account for the presence of a substantial amount of calcium and smaller amount of chlorine detected. A problem with this theory, however, is that no nickel was detected in T1,2 and only a minute amount in T3. It has been stated that "most meteorites contain between 6 and 10 percent nickel"…and "no iron meteorites contain less than five percent nickel" [McSween, 1987]. This may not be a problem after all, since the specimens could be just a small fragment of a larger meteorite body.

An altogether different hypothesis can be formulated based on the fact that these specimens were extracted from an human body. An iron sliver, embedded in human tissue could possibly cause a calcification reaction. This would explain the presence of calcium and phosphorous on the surface of the samples. Chlorapatite and other calcium phosphate minerals are the major component of hard tissue (bones, teeth) along with collagen. In fact, calcium phosphate-based ceramics have been used in medicine and dentistry for nearly 20 years due to their bioactive nature [Hench, 1993]. In light of this, even if the cladding was not formed inside the body, but rather entered the tissue in its entirety as a sliver from a stone, it is not surprising that the body had no adverse reaction to the foreign object.

It must be stressed, these are only theories as to the origin of the specimens in question based on preliminary data and information. More in-depth studies would be required to prove either one.

References

Brooks, C.R., N.E. Biery, L. Zhaohui, X.Xiande, and Z. Datong, "Surface Morphology of Iron Dendrites in the Yanzhuang H6 Meteorite", Mat. Charact. 35 p.165 (1995).

Budka, P.Z., J.R.M. Viertl, and S.V. Thamboo, "Meteorites and the Iron-Nickel Phase Diagram", Adv. Mat. & Processes, p.27 (July 1996).

Hench, L.L., "Bioceramics: from Concept to Clinic", Amer. Ceram. Soc. Bull. 72[4] p.93 (1993).

McSween, H.Y., Meteorites and their parent planets, Cambridge Univ. Press (1987).

Wasson, J.T. Meteorites, Classification and Properties, ed. P.J. Wyllie, Springer-Verlag, (1974).