Cosmic Heist? Niger Demands Answers Over Mars Rock Sold in New York

In November 2023, a meteorite hunter in the Agadez region of northern Niger uncovered an extraordinary find: a shimmering, rust-colored rock weighing approximately 24.7 kilograms, the largest Martian fragment ever recovered on Earth. Known as NWA 16788, the specimen is believed to have been blasted from the surface of Mars following a massive asteroid impact and traveled the cosmic distance about 140 million miles before embedding in the Sahara.

According to an Italian news report, the meteorite was sold by the local community to an international dealer and later transferred to a private gallery in Arezzo, Italy, owned by what the University of Florence’s magazine described as “an important Italian gallery owner.”

From there, a team of scientists led by Professor Giovanni Pratesi, a mineralogy expert at the University of Florence, examined the meteorite in detail to study its composition and origin. Their research confirmed it was indeed of Martian origin. The specimen was briefly exhibited in Italy in 2024, including at the Italian Space Agency in Rome.

Two small slices were retained in Italy for further research before the main body of the meteorite made its way to New York, where it appeared at Sotheby’s “Natural History” auction last month. It sold for over $5 million, including fees. Sotheby’s stated that NWA 16788 was “exported from Niger and transported in line with all relevant international procedures.”

Researchers identified mineral compositions notably olivine and pyroxene that match those found in known Martian meteorites. The specimen’s reddish-brown fusion crust, formed during its fiery passage through Earth’s atmosphere, and its relatively fresh condition further indicated a recent arrival from space.

The sale sparked outrage in Niger, where the government has launched an investigation into how such a rare and valuable object left the country without any official proceeds going to the state. Officials have compared the situation to illicit trafficking of cultural heritage. Critics argue that meteorites of such scientific and cultural value should remain accessible for public research and display in their country of origin, rather than disappearing into private collections.

Of the more than 77,000 meteorites documented on Earth, only about 400 have been identified as coming from Mars. Together, they weigh just 825 pounds (≈375 kg) making any single specimen an extraordinary scientific treasure.

The Sahara Desert, with its vast open landscapes and dry climate, has proven to be a rich hunting ground for meteorite collectors. However, the region’s lack of strict regulatory frameworks often means finds are quickly funneled into the international market.

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