Ancient Martian meteorite offers evidence of water on early Mars

Science · First reported 29 Oct, 18:02 · Updated 18:52

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

Teghaza 001, found in Mali’s Sahara in 2022, formed more than 4.1 billion years ago and shows signs of water interacting with Martian rock. Researchers say it offers clues about early Mars, but does not establish whether life existed there.

Teghaza 001 was found in 2022 in Mali’s Sahara and is among the oldest known Martian meteorites on Earth.
Its minerals and chemical signatures indicate that water interacted with rock in early Mars’ crust. The findings support the possibility of habitable conditions, but do not answer whether Mars had life.
Researchers have not established the meteorite’s precise Martian birthplace. One account says its chemistry may point to the southern highlands, while another reports 13 possible locations.

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Key facts

Meteorite: Teghaza 001
Found: 2022, in Mali’s Sahara
Age: At least / more than 4.1 billion years
Pieces found: Eight
Possible source locations: 13 identified by researchers, with the precise origin unresolved