Erfoud Fossil Workshops
أرفود
A workshop in the 'fossil capital' of Erfoud, where roughly 400-million-year-old nautiloids, ammonites and trilobites are cut and polished into craft items.
The mountains around Erfoud yield marine fossils from the Devonian period, with nautiloids, ammonites and trilobites embedded in black marble. Fossil workshops in town, such as Macro Fossiles, offer free visits where you can watch cutting, polishing and restoration, and the showroom sells items from small pendants to whole tabletops. When buying, note that some trilobites are assembled or artificially repaired, so be careful with valuable pieces. Keep your purchase receipts if you take fossils out of the country. Erfoud is about 55 km from Merzouga and is a required stop for anyone entering or leaving the desert from the west.
Opening hours
Approx. 08:00–19:00
Nearby sights
- Ksar Maadid
- Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif
- Rissani Souk
- Sijilmasa
- Khettaras of Jorf
- Gara Medouar
- Erg Chebbi Desert Camps & Camel Trek
- Dayet Srij Lake