• Niger is investigating the $5 million sale of NWA 16788, the largest recorded Mars meteorite.
• The meteorite was found in Niger’s Sahara Desert and may have been trafficked illegally.
• Sotheby’s defends the sale, stating all procedures were followed during the transaction.
• Legal disputes arise over ownership rights and international cultural heritage laws.

The recent auction of a 54-pound Martian meteorite, selling for over $5 million, has prompted Niger's government to launch an investigation into possible "illicit international trafficking." Officials are questioning the circumstances surrounding the auction sale, as it's claimed the meteorite may have been smuggled out of the country, according to CBS News and Los Angeles Times.

Named NWA 16788, the meteorite was discovered in November 2023 by an unidentified meteorite hunter in the Sahara Desert in Niger. Following the discovery, it passed through a series of transactions before being auctioned at Sotheby's. The auction house asserts that the meteorite was exported according to all relevant international procedures, contending they possess necessary documentation for each stage of its journey, according to South China Morning Post and Los Angeles Times.

Following the auction, Niger's President Abdourahamane Tiani suspended the export of meteorites and precious stones to safeguard their traceability. The investigation is being driven by concerns that improper channels may have been used in the meteorite's sale, which has drawn sharp criticism from local and international observers. A prominent US palaeontologist expressed frustration over the anonymity of the various parties involved in the sale, stating, "It belongs to Niger," reflecting the belief that the meteorite's rightful ownership is tied to its place of impact, according to South China Morning Post.

Legal expert Patty Gerstenblith notes the ambiguity surrounding the ownership of meteorites under international treaties, indicating that Niger must establish proof of ownership and unlawful exportation for a successful claim. She explains that if the meteorite was legally declared upon entering the United States, it might not be recoverable by Niger, a complex situation birth from a lack of clear international rules concerning meteorite ownership, according to CBS News and Los Angeles Times.

This meteorite not only has immense financial value but also significant scientific merit, believed to offer unique insights into Mars' geological history. Experts emphasize the importance of considering the ethical implications of meteorites' sales as they represent part of humanity's natural heritage. As Paul Sereno articulates, “This is nature’s heritage... we should respect it,” highlighting the need for careful treatment of such extraordinary finds that extend beyond their market value, according to South China Morning Post.