Morocco’s meteorite boom: from gold rush to legacy

Once dubbed the “Saharan Gold Rush,” Morocco was a prime destination for meteorite hunters seeking pieces of asteroids that had fallen to Earth, according to Wired Magazine.

Since 1999, Morocco has yielded more meteorites than most other places worldwide. Over 1,000 meteorites have reportedly been discovered in the Kingdom, compared to just 23 in the UK.

While meteorites fall globally, Morocco's dry landscape makes them easier to spot. The country's history of welcoming Western fossil hunters and archaeologists, combined with the expertise of local nomadic groups in identifying unusual stones, contributed to its status as a meteorite hotspot. Additionally, the unregulated market allowed meteorites to be bought at rock bottom prices and sold for much more abroad after formal assessment.

Erfoud, known as “the gateway to the Sahara,” became the hub of this trade, with desert artifacts and stones filling the town’s market stalls. Nomadic guides offered meteorite hunting tours for tourists.

However, the booming trade raised concerns. Hasnaa Chennaoui Aoudjehane, a professor at Hassan II University of Casablanca, grew worried about the rapid export of Morocco’s meteorites. Determined to preserve the country’s heritage, she launched a self-funded mission to collect the best specimens and showcased them in a traveling exhibit.

“I want to educate people to be proud,” she said, “to understand that this is their heritage.”

While Morocco remains a significant meteorite exporter, the initial gold rush has dwindled. As local hunters became aware of the international value of meteorites, prices surged, and buyers found themselves paying more for lower-quality stones. Many of the most valuable pieces had already been discovered and sold.

Despite the decline in frenzied trading, Morocco's reputation as a meteorite hotspot endures, cementing its legacy in the world of space rock hunting.