A massive meteorite from Mars discovered in the deserts of Niger has sold for over $5.3 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York, marking the highest known sale for a Martian rock.
Weighing 24.5kg and measuring nearly 38cm in length, the specimen—named NWA 16788—is the largest Martian rock ever recovered on Earth. It was unearthed in November 2023 in a remote region of Niger, a country in Africa’s Sahel zone increasingly recognized for its geological wealth.
Sotheby’s described the meteorite as “unbelievably rare,” noting that only around 400 Martian meteorites have ever been documented globally. The chances of such a rock surviving entry through Earth’s atmosphere and landing on solid ground—rather than the ocean—are extremely slim.
The meteorite, a reddish-brown rock with a unique texture, is 70% larger than any other Mars sample previously recovered on Earth. While the buyer’s identity remains private, the discovery has drawn international attention not only for its scientific value but also for its African origin.
The auction also featured other high-value natural history items, including a Jurassic-era dinosaur skeleton sold for $26 million.
This sale adds to Africa’s growing role in space and scientific exploration, with Niger now joining the list of countries contributing to our understanding of Mars and beyond.