A giant Martian meteorite has been sold for a record US $5.3 million at Sotheby’s auction house in New York, but the sale has sparked a fierce debate. The 25 kg rock, found in November 2023 in the Sahara Desert in Niger, is the largest Martian meteorite ever discovered on Earth. Niger’s government says it may have been removed from the country illegally and has launched an investigation.
In response, Niger has suspended all exports of precious stones and meteorites until further notice. Officials believe the meteorite may be part of “illicit international trafficking.” Sotheby’s insists the rock was exported legally and according to international rules, but has agreed to review the case.
The meteorite, named NWA 16788, journeyed 140 million miles through space before crashing into the Sahara. It was then sold to an international dealer, displayed in Italy, and eventually listed in the New York auction. The identities of the finder, dealers, and buyer remain secret, frustrating experts who say the rock should belong to Niger.
In Niger, rare minerals like meteorites are protected by law as part of the nation’s cultural heritage. In other countries, such as the United States, ownership depends on where the meteorite lands — for example, a landowner can keep one that falls on their property.
Scientists stress that NWA 16788 is not just valuable as a collector’s item but also as a source of knowledge about Mars. The dispute over this meteorite could influence future rules on who has the right to own objects that fall from outer space.
