4.1bn-year-old pink Mars rock found in Sahara holds clues to ancient water
Scientists have identified a 4.1 billion-year-old Martian meteorite found in the Sahara Desert that contains evidence of ancient volcanic activity and water. This discovery provides new insights into the early geological history and surface conditions of Mars.
Why it matters
It offers a rare, tangible link to Mars' ancient past, helping researchers understand how the planet evolved from a wet environment to its current dry state.
A rock that spent more than four billion years preserving clues about Mars' early history was found lying in the Sahara Desert, looking like an ordinary pink stone. Discovered in 2022, the 800-gram rock has since turned out to be one of the oldest Martian meteorites ever identified on Earth. Its mineral composition contains evidence of ancient volcanic activity and interactions between water and rock, offering scientists a rare opportunity to study what Mars was like billions of years before it became the cold, dry planet we know today.In a NASA report published on October 29, 2026, the agency detailed findings from a NASA-funded study of the meteorite, named Teghaza 001 after the salt plain in Mali where it was discovered. According to the primary source, NASA-funded researchers, including scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, determined that the rock formed more than 4.1 billion years ago.
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Meteorite Found in Sahara is Piece of Mars at Least 4.1 Billion Years Old
Meteorite found in Sahara turns out to be 4.1 bn year old piece of Mars
Rose-colored meteorite found in the Sahara Desert turns out to be 4.1 billion-year-old piece of Mars
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