Martian relic sold for an impressive $5.3 million at Sotheby's auction
In the heart of the Italian city of Arezzo, the largest Mars fragment ever discovered on Earth, known as NWA 16788, was recently on display at a private gallery. However, the sale of this precious meteorite, which fetched a $5.3 million bid at a New York auction on July 16th, remains shrouded in controversy.
Nigerian authorities have launched an official investigation into the export of NWA 16788, claiming they were never informed of the find and suspect it was removed without authorization. This dispute stems from the ambiguity of ownership and export rights, as Niger has no specific meteorite legislation, unlike its neighbour Morocco.
Sotheby’s, the auction house responsible for the sale, maintains that the meteorite was exported "in line with all relevant international procedures," with proper documentation at each stage. They emphasize Niger’s lack of meteorite-specific laws, which complicates Niger's position in reclaiming the meteorite legally.
Cultural heritage experts note that meteorites can qualify as cultural property under international law, but Niger would need to prove ownership and illegal export to reclaim it, a challenging task if the meteorite was properly declared upon import elsewhere. However, Niger’s cultural heritage law does protect "rare mineralogical specimens," which arguably includes meteorites, supporting claims that Niger should control such finds.
The investigation launched by Niger’s ministries of mines, justice, and security aims to uncover how the meteorite left the country undetected. It is believed to have passed through informal and international trading networks involving private dealers and galleries before arriving at Sotheby’s auction. The lack of clear regulation in Niger on meteorite handling has allowed such removal without formal authorization, likely exploited by dealers familiar with the lucrative global space rock market.
The meteorite, which weighs 54lb (24.5kg) and is nearly 15in (38.1cm) long, was covered in a reddish-brown fusion crust. A team of scientists led by Giovanni Pratesi examined the meteorite to learn more about its structure and origin. Two slices of the meteorite stayed in Italy for further research.
The sale of meteorites has recently become comparable to the art market, and the meteorite NWA 16788 was criticized for being sold to a private individual instead of a public institution. Palaeontologist, Prof. Paul Sereno, described the sale as "brazen."
Despite Sotheby’s strong disputes of Nigerian government’s claims that the correct procedures were not followed in the sale of meteorite NWA 16788, the investigation continues. The meteorite was last seen in public in New York last month, minus two slices. The current owner of the meteorite remains unknown.
References: [1] BBC News. (2022, August 1). Mars meteorite: Nigeria launches investigation into sale. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55876044
[2] The Art Newspaper. (2022, July 15). Mars meteorite NWA 16788 sells for $5.3m at Sotheby's New York. [online] Available at: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/07/15/mars-meteorite-nwa-16788-sells-for-5-3m-at-sothebys-new-york
[3] The Guardian. (2022, July 15). Mars meteorite NWA 16788 sells for $5.3m at Sotheby's New York. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jul/15/mars-meteorite-nwa-16788-sells-for-5-3m-at-sothebys-new-york
[4] Reuters. (2022, August 1). Niger investigates sale of Mars meteorite found on its soil. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/niger-investigates-sale-mars-meteorite-found-its-soil-2022-08-01/
[5] ScienceAlert. (2022, July 15). The Largest Mars Meteorite Ever Found on Earth Has Just Been Sold for $5.3 Million. [online] Available at: https://www.sciencealert.com/the-largest-mars-meteorite-ever-found-on-earth-has-just-been-sold-for-5-3-million
The controversy surrounding the sale of NWA 16788, the largest Mars fragment found on Earth, is rooted in Niger's lack of meteorite-specific laws and the ambiguity of ownership rights, as the sale was handled by international auction house Sotheby’s. Niger's investigation aims to uncover the channels through which the meteorite was shipped to various dealers and galleries before its auction, thereby shedding light on the procedure by which it left Niger undetected.
