A collection of fossils, consisting of dinosaur teeth originating from the Moroccan geological basin, has been repatriated, thanks to bilateral cooperation between Morocco and the French Republic in the field of cultural heritage protection.
These fossils were seized by French Customs services in February 2025 in the city of Menton, France, during an attempted illicit smuggling operation via an express freight truck traveling between Spain and Italy, according to a press release from the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication – Department of Culture.
The seized batch consisted of nine fossils dating back to the Upper Cretaceous period (66 to 72 million years ago), including teeth of extinct marine reptiles and others belonging to species related to distant relatives of the crocodile, originating from the Moroccan geological basin, the same source adds.
The result of close coordination between the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication and French authorities, this restitution embodies the shared commitment of both countries to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property and to preserve the natural and geological heritage of the Kingdom of Morocco for future generations, the press release continues.