El Ali meteorite: From whetstone to fame and to the tragedy of local people's heritage

The El Ali meteorite, a colossal 15.2 t iron meteorite, was discovered in an area characterized by bushy calcareous evaporates (sedimentary distinctive textures, which align with the description of the meteorite's find location) near the town of El Ali in West Hiran, Somalia. This paper delves into the fascinating history of this meteorite, tracing its path from obscurity to international prominence and then to the tragedy of losing a local people's symbol and heritage. For centuries, nomadic local people have used the rusty brown rock as a humble whetstone or honing stone. However, over time it has transformed into a symbol of local heritage and resilience named the “Shiid-birood.” In 2022, a pivotal moment occurred when the meteorite was classified and three previously unknown minerals—elaliite, elkinstantonite, and olsenite—were identified in the meteorite. These findings sparked international media attention to the El Ali meteorite, leading to its official recognition by the Meteoritical Society. Almaas University researchers were the first to interact with the meteorite in Mogadishu, Somalia, and provided initial descriptions, properties, and measurements of the meteorite. Remarkably, the El Ali meteorite ranks as the ninth largest meteorite globally, weighing an impressive 15.2 t. However, secrecy and uncertainty surround its fate. The meteorite has been exported to China, leaving Somalia bereft of its cultural and natural heritage significance. Will it be cut into pieces or preserved intact for exhibitions and future scientific studies? Perhaps, there is still some hope to ensure its return to its rightful place of origin—Somalia.