Morocco emerges as global hub for meteorite trade, reshaping desert communities

Moroccan meteorite hunters and dealers have established themselves as key players in the international meteorite market, with over a thousand documented discoveries since 1999. A new book by Helen Gordon, "The Meteorites: Encounters with Outer Space and Deep Time," details this remarkable development.

At the prestigious Ensisheim meteorite show in France, Moroccan dealers distinguish themselves with their understated approach, displaying meteorites on white sheets with simple weighing scales, in contrast to elaborate Western presentations.

The scale of Morocco's meteorite discoveries is substantial, surpassing countries like the United Kingdom, which has recorded only 23 finds throughout its history. The southeastern town of Erfoud has become a central marketplace, where foreign dealers purchase unclassified meteorites for analysis and resale at significant markups.

The success of Morocco's meteorite trade stems from three crucial factors: desert conditions that make meteorites easily visible, an established network of fossil and mineral hunters, and the country's political stability. As one nomad explained to Middle East Eye, the stone business has helped lift many nomadic families out of poverty.

Professor Hasnaa Chennaoui Aoudjehane from Hassan II University of Casablanca, who consults for the Meteoritical Society's Committee for Meteorite Nomenclature, has expressed concerns about the ethics of the trade. However, she acknowledges the scientific benefits, noting that Moroccan researchers have gained credibility with international laboratories.

The industry has evolved since its inception in the mid-1990s, dubbed the "Saharan Gold Rush" by American dealer Michael Gilmer. Local hunters now demand fair compensation, and high-quality specimens have become increasingly scarce. Gilmer notes that the unique combination of geographical, legal, and climatological conditions in northwest Africa makes the region irreplaceable in the meteorite trade.

Efforts to preserve Morocco's meteorite heritage are underway. Chennaoui has organized a traveling exhibition that attracted over 17,000 visitors by June 2023 in a Casablanca shopping mall. While some traders worry about potential regulations affecting their income, others view this development as an opportunity for Morocco to strengthen its position in the scientific community.

Erfoud now serves as "the gateway to the Sahara," featuring numerous shops selling meteorites and fossils, with some establishments including small museums. Local nomads have expanded their services to include guided desert expeditions for tourists and collectors seeking meteorites.