Morocco 2025 - Part 2

Fossils were discovered and dug in the Erfoud region of Morocco in the 1960s primarily because the area’s extensive geological formations, which were once the bottom of an ancient sea, are rich in well-preserved marine fossils and also contain significant archaeological sites where human ancestors once lived.
Specific motivations and events include:
Ancient Marine Environment: The Sahara region around Erfoud was a vast, shallow sea during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras, from approximately 500 to 100 million years ago. The rock layers in the area, particularly the Devonian and Ordovician deposits, are naturally abundant in the fossilized remains of marine life such as trilobites, ammonites, orthoceras, and crinoids.
Mineral Mining Operations: A key event occurred in 1961 at the Jebel Irhoud site (which is recognized for its fossils from the 1960s), when a miner discovered a skull while mining for the mineral baryte. This chance discovery sparked scientific interest and led to a joint French-Moroccan expedition to the site headed by anthropologist Émile Ennouchi.
Scientific Expeditions and Research: International and local interest in Moroccan fossils has existed since the early 20th century, with formal expeditions (such as the one mentioned above) being organized to study the significant finds, which included stone tools and early human (Homo sapiens) skull fragments.
Geological Stability and Exposure: The arid desert conditions mean that large areas of rock are exposed, making it easier to find and excavate fossils than in many other parts of the world.
Emerging Commercial Trade: While scientific discovery was a primary motivator for formal excavations, local populations had long been aware of the fossils and began to exploit them commercially, selling specimens to collectors and tourists as a source of income in a region with few other job opportunities. This established the foundation for the significant fossil industry that exists in Erfoud today.
The discoveries in the 1960s, particularly the human fossils at Jebel Irhoud, were initially dated to be 40,000 years old, but later re-dating in 2017 revealed them to be much older (around 300,000 years), challenging existing theories on human origins and highlighting the global importance of Morocco’s fossil record.