Fossils, rocks and minerals in Morocco - Fossilien, Gesteine und Mineralien in Marokko

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  Ammonite, here location Germany (Balingen)

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  Artistic replica of an ammonite

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  Trilobite, here location USA

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  Artistic replica of a trilobite

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  Tooth one Megalodon

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  Replica of a 16 m long megalodon in the Museo de la Evolución de Puebla

Morocco is known for its abundant sites Ammonites and Trilobites.

Fossils

Fossils are on sale in many places, especially tourist spots. These are predominantly ammonites and trilobites. Sometimes there are also teeth of the giant extinct shark Megalodon to find.

• Numerous trilobites are found in the area between 31.436-4.2331 ErfoudType is group designation, 30.907-3.9962 TaouzType is group designation and 30.95-4.9133 FezzouType is group designation found ^[1].
• Paralejurus-Trilobites at 31.11-5.174 AlnifType is group designation
• Walliserops trifurcatus trilobites 30.8386-4.91955 Jebel OufateneType is group designation

Minerals and rocks

• Vanadinite-Poke holes in the 32.76-4.6421 Mibladen ore districtType is group designation^[2] and at 30.9067-3.99582 TaouzType is group designation^[3]
• 33.756-4.753 AragoniteType is group designation between Tazouta and Sefrou, probably Morocco's best site ^[2], (approx. coordinates)
• 30.513-7.2944 berylType is group designation at Angarf, near Tazenahkt ^[2], (approx. coordinates)

Volcanoes and basalt regions

• 33.5-4.51 Tizguit valleyType is group designation, next door basalt falcons (English article: Tizguit Valley)
• 31.645-7.4762 Sidi RahalType is group designation, Basalt columns, (approx. Coordinates)
• Basalt rock on the volcano 30.704-7.62173 Jbel SirwaType is group designation
• 31.3-4.274 TafilaletType is group designation, igneous rocks^[2]
• 33.439-5.245 Ait Khermous volcanoType is group designation at Azrou

Prices

Good fossils cost from around 100 euros and, if the preparation is complex, many times this amount.

Real or fake

Unfortunately, not only original fossils are offered, but also imitations. These are mixtures of sand with binding agents, which are poured into a mold and harden in it. With this method, it can easily happen that the surface has inaccuracies, which are visible on closer inspection. There may be small air bubbles on the imitation or there may be a lack of fine details on the shells and especially on the eyes (many trilobites have Compound eyes.

Other possibilities to determine whether it is a counterfeit is the use of a UV lamp - the fossils glow because of the plastic, or you paint solvent for superglue on the fossil and in the case of a fake the plastic used will come off. ^[4]

export

The export of fossils and minerals from Morocco is allowed. If you have other experiences, perhaps with regard to quantity limits, please inform us here. Current information may be available at ^[5] to find.

In the case of larger quantities and the weight limits on the plane, it can be worthwhile to send the finds by post. 10 kg cost around 25 euros ^[6]

Individual evidence

Web links

• www.fossiel.net (English)