Peierls distortion path was proved experimentally for dense ZnO nanoparticles prepared by static compression. Electron irradiation caused rock salt (R) to wurtzite (W) transition, following preferential (1 (1) over bar1)(R) //(0 (1) over bar 11)(W); [011](R) //[(1) over bar2 (1) over bar3](W) and then transformation strain induced (11 (1) over bar)(R) //((1) over bar 011)(W); [011](R) //[01 (1) over bar1](W). The two relationships can be rationalized by specified extent of chair-and boat-type Peierls distortions accompanied with band gap opening and intermediate {111}(R) slip for energetically favorable {111}(R) /(0 (1) over bar 11)(W) match. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.