- Single Block of Fossilized Marble
Hundreds of millions of years ago parts of the Sahara Desert were covered by shallow seas.
These seas were a habitat for a phenomenal number of living creatures such as these ammonites and orthoceras.
Single Block of Fossilized Marble
Hundreds of millions of years ago parts of the Sahara Desert were covered by shallow seas.
These seas were a habitat for a phenomenal number of living creatures such as these ammonites and orthoceras.
- The abundance of these animals can be seen in the fossils here.
The abundance of these animals can be seen in the fossils here.
In this photo we have removed the top layer of sand and poured water
on the stone to enhance the contrast between the fossil and the limestone.
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Bethany and Moha, holding a jug of water, are looking out over these extensive fossil
deposits. This block of stone will be taken to the nearby town of Erfoud to be cut.
- Leven is choosing slabs that will be cut into tabletops of various shapes and sizes.
Leven is choosing slabs that will be cut into tabletops of various shapes and sizes.
- As long as there is electricity work goes quickly.
As long as there is electricity work goes quickly.
This is a cool place to be away from the heat, wind and blowing sand of the desert.
- Even though the tools may seem simple the fact is that an "industry" has been created
Even though the tools may seem simple the fact is that an "industry" has been created
which provides much needed jobs.
- The quality control of hand-finished work presents a challenge.
The quality control of hand-finished work presents a challenge.
A good supervisor is essential.
- Moving his work to stay in the shade Mustapha does the final polish on a fossilized marble dish.
Moving his work to stay in the shade Mustapha does the final polish
on a fossilized marble dish.
- Far out into the desert this pit was dug by hand to get to a layer of crinoids. This is difficult and sometimes dangerous work. It is seasonal, and the men only stay on the site for a few days at a time.
Far out into the desert this pit was dug by hand to get to a layer of crinoids.
This is difficult and sometimes dangerous work.
It is seasonal, and the men only stay on the site for a few days at a time.
- These rough pieces brought up from the Silurian layer will need a lot of prep; however, it is possible to see traces of crinoids.
These rough pieces brought up from the Silurian layer will need a lot of prep; however,
it is possible to see traces of crinoids.
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Small polished pieces such as these orthoceras fossils provide wonderful and inexpensive
treasures for a wide market.
- Leven and Ali are digging for trilobite specimens in a Devonian formation near the village of Tabourigte. From this location you can see mountains with formations from the Cambrian through the Devonian Period.
Leven and Ali are digging for trilobite specimens in a Devonian formation near the village of
Tabourigte. From this location you can see mountains with formations from the
Cambrian through the Devonian Period.
- For many years this was the way fossils were prepped in Morocco. Using the simplest of tools they were able to remove the rock to reveal this Scutellum trilobite in a nodule.
For many years this was the way fossils were prepped in Morocco. Using the simplest of tools
they were able to remove the rock to reveal this Scutellum trilobite in a nodule.
- The lead mine, Touissit, in northeastern Morocco has been a very important source for many beautiful mineral specimens. These include azurite, anglesite, wulfenite and vanadinite.
The lead mine, Touissit, in northeastern Morocco has been a very important source for many
beautiful mineral specimens. These include azurite, anglesite, wulfenite and vanadinite.
- The guardian at the Bou Bekker Mine on the Algerian border still has a job, but the mines have been closed for years. It is known among mineral collectors for its fine specimens.
The guardian at the Bou Bekker Mine on the Algerian border still has a job, but the mines
have been closed for years. It is known among mineral collectors for its fine specimens.
- After a long hike up from the valley below, we reached these series of mines along a layer containing amethyst crystals.
After a long hike up from the valley below, we reached these series of mines along a layer
containing amethyst crystals.
- The Aouli Mine is one of many sites abandoned after the ore was removed and mining operations moved to more accessible areas. Above the piles of tailings the formations progress from Cambrian to Cretaceous.
The Aouli Mine is one of many sites abandoned after the ore was removed and mining
operations moved to more accessible areas. Above the piles of tailings the formations
progress from Cambrian to Cretaceous.
- In the basement of the mining office in Mibladen licensed Moroccan mineral dealers bid on different lots of minerals. For this shot Leven put his camera on a bench and set the timer; many people here do not want to be photographed.
In the basement of the mining office in Mibladen licensed Moroccan mineral dealers bid on
different lots of minerals. For this shot Leven put his camera on a bench and set the
timer; many people here do not want to be photographed.
- This small entrance to the Taouz Mine leads to an even smaller tunnel. This remote mine occasionally yields beautiful red vanadinite crystals on black stalactitic manganese oxide. Nearby there are important fossil sites.
This small entrance to the Taouz Mine leads to an even smaller tunnel. This remote mine
occasionally yields beautiful red vanadinite crystals on black stalactitic manganese
oxide. Nearby there are important fossil sites.
- Other than a few miners and Leven this is one of the least inhabited parts of the world. There is an overwhelming silence in this vast desert.
Other than a few miners and Leven this is one of the least inhabited parts of the world.
There is an overwhelming silence in this vast desert.
- With patience and years of experience the artisans here have perfected the craft of working the fossilized stone.
With patience and years of experience the artisans here have perfected the craft of working
the fossilized stone.
- Large orders such as this one for 1000 pairs of orthceras fossil bookends that we designed and had made for The Nature Company can be challenging for an operation using only hand labor.
Large orders such as this one for 1000 pairs of orthceras fossil bookends that we designed
and had made for The Nature Company can be challenging for an operation using only hand labor.
- The face of this bookend is being chiseled to give a stippled effect.
The face of this bookend is being chiseled to give a stippled effect.
- This block of fossilized stone is being cut into cylindrical bookends using a core drill bit that we brought with us. It was the first time this was used for lapidary work in Morocco.
This block of fossilized stone is being cut into cylindrical bookends using a core drill bit that we
brought with us. It was the first time this was used for lapidary work in Morocco.
- Listing and identifying the contents of hundreds of boxes of material is essential for inspection at the Ministry of Mines in Rabat and for customs officials in Casablanca.
Listing and identifying the contents of hundreds of boxes of material is essential for inspection
at the Ministry of Mines in Rabat and for customs officials in Casablanca.
- Mibladen was the center for mining activity in a large area. This year we ran into heavy rains that washed out roads and bridges.
Mibladen was the center for mining activity in a large area. This year we ran into heavy rains
that washed out roads and bridges.
- Originally we had to pay everyone in cash. Leven removed this pile from his camera bag to get to his camera for a picture of the dunes and this shot caught his eye.
Originally we had to pay everyone in cash. Leven removed this pile from his camera bag
to get to his camera for a picture of the dunes and this shot caught his eye.
- We can always count on the unexpected when we begin loading the truck at our southern most point in Rissani. Trucks that won't start, drivers that are missing, large holes dug overnight, demolished walls blocking the only access are just a few of the minor inconveniences.
We can always count on the unexpected when we begin loading the truck at our southern
most point in Rissani. Trucks that won't start, drivers that are missing, large holes dug
overnight, demolished walls blocking the only access are just a few of the minor inconveniences.
- One year it rained briefly but heavily in the desert. This photo is an example of a true "soft shoulder". There are serious accidents on the roads. We have had many near misses, but some of our friends have not been so lucky.
One year it rained briefly but heavily in the desert. This photo is an example of a true "soft shoulder".
There are serious accidents on the roads. We have had many near misses, but some of our friends have not been so lucky.
- We usually follow our shipments north to arrive in Rabat the next day for inspection by the Ministry of Mines. This takes us over the Atlas Mountains where a late spring blizzard sometimes closes the passes. We were lucky that this road through the southern foothills was open.
We usually follow our shipments north to arrive in Rabat the next day for inspection by the
Ministry of Mines. This takes us over the Atlas Mountains where a late spring blizzard
sometimes closes the passes. We were lucky that this road through the southern foothills was open.
- Ali, our friend and exporter, always found time for a cup of mint tea - even in the port of Casablanca. One of our truck drivers used to cook his tajine on a gas burner in the cab of his truck while driving.
Ali, our friend and exporter, always found time for a cup of mint tea - even in the port of
Casablanca. One of our truck drivers used to cook his tajine on a gas burner in the cab of
his truck while driving.
- After trans-shipment through a European port, the container usually arrives in Los Angeles six weeks later. Next it will go through U.S Customs inspection, which has become more stringent.
After trans-shipment through a European port, the container usually arrives in Los Angeles
six weeks later. Next it will go through U.S Customs inspection, which has
become more stringent.
- This is the moment of truth when the container arrives at its final destination.
This is the moment of truth when the container arrives at its final destination.
- This particular shipment obviously suffered when some large carved and hand- painted doors were removed for re-inspection in Rabat by another ministry to make sure they were not historical antiquities.
This particular shipment obviously suffered when some large carved and hand- painted doors
were removed for re-inspection in Rabat by another ministry to make sure they were not
historical antiquities.
- Fossil and mineral preparation is very important. Here Leven is cleaning a large fluorite. An understanding of basic chemistry and taking correct precautions will prevent harm to the specimen or to you.
Fossil and mineral preparation is very important. Here Leven is cleaning a large fluorite. An
understanding of basic chemistry and taking correct precautions will prevent harm to
the specimen or to you.
- Other than using chemicals there are methods such as a water gun to remove layers of rock that often cover fossils and minerals. The prep on this fluorite is almost finished.
Other than using chemicals there are methods such as a water gun to remove layers of rock
that often cover fossils and minerals. The prep on this fluorite is almost finished.
- After using air chisels, diamond drill points and dental tools, the micro air abrasive is a very useful tool for the final prep.
After using air chisels, diamond drill points and dental tools, the micro air abrasive is a very
useful tool for the final prep.
- This beautiful tabletop is one of the final products from the quarries in the Sahara Desert. Moving a single slab of this size even when reinforced with fiberglass is risky. Although expertly handled and crated, it was broken in transit to Chicago.
This beautiful tabletop is one of the final products from the quarries in the Sahara Desert.
Moving a single slab of this size even when reinforced with fiberglass is risky.
Although expertly handled and crated, it was broken in transit to Chicago.
- Photographing a fossil or mineral specimen presents special challenges. It was fun for Leven to use a 4"x5" format Sinar camera with his studio electronic flash. He shot the majority of the photographs for this website with a digital camera.
Photographing a fossil or mineral specimen presents special challenges. It was fun for Leven
to use a 4"x5" format Sinar camera with his studio electronic flash. He shot the
majority of the photographs for this website with a digital camera.
