Meteorite Piercing Roof of Indonesian Home Sold for 2 Billion Won, 'Money Seat'

A meteorite that pierced through the roof of a house in Indonesia was traded for 2 billion won, making the family wealthy. Photo by Tribune News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A meteorite that pierced through the roof of a house in Indonesia was traded for 2 billion won, making the family wealthy.

According to The Sun and others on the 18th, Joshua Hutagalung (33), who lives in Central Tapanuli Regency on Sumatra Island, heard a loud noise of his house breaking while making coffins at home around 4 p.m. on August 1st.

A meteorite fell from the sky, piercing through the roof. Joshua recalled, "My wife and I dug out the stone, and it was still warm. It was too large for someone to have thrown it on purpose, so I thought it must have fallen from space as soon as I saw it."

The palm-sized meteorite weighed 2.1 kg.

Joshua took a photo of the meteorite and posted it on social media (SNS), and it was later reported by local Indonesian media.

Many people came to his house to see the meteorite, and offers to buy it followed one after another.

Experts estimated that this meteorite was formed 4.5 billion years ago. Meteorite expert Gerard Collins, who lives in Bali, said the meteorite is worth 26 billion rupiah (approximately 2.046 billion won).

A meteorite that pierced through the tin roof and fell into the yard. Photo by Josua Hutagalung, Facebook capture.

Gerard proposed the transaction to Joshua on behalf of a meteorite collector in the United States, and the meteorite was traded for 26 billion rupiah.

Joshua said, "This happened during the COVID-19 crisis," adding, "Honestly, I was worried about how to handle the meteorite myself."

Gerard sent the meteorite to the United States, and it is currently reported that a meteorite collector and doctor in Indianapolis owns it.

Joshua said, "I will quit making coffins, and with some of the money earned from selling the meteorite, I will build a chapel in the village," adding, "I have only three sons, but I hope the luck of discovering the meteorite will allow me to have a daughter."