Plundered by thieves, prehistoric rocks from outer space
A 60million-year-old meteor strike site is to be protected by security glass after it was ransacked by thieves.
Space rocks – the first of their kind found on Earth – were taken from the excavation spot on Skye earlier this month in a ‘professional’ raid using a mini digger.
Geologists say the removal of the deposits is ‘heartbreaking’ and will hamper future research projects on the island.
The area was previously targeted in September, when ten deposits, each around a handful in size, were taken from the ‘incredibly fragile’ zone and put up for sale on eBay for only £10.
Now reinforced glass is to be installed to prevent further damage to the area near Broadford.
The site was only discovered last December and contains mineral material that matches samples taken in space. Experts warn that unauthorised removal of any of the deposit is against the law.
Dr Simon Drake, who discovered the site with Dr Andy Beard, said the latest theft was a ‘professional removal’ for commercial gain.
The lecturer at Birkbeck, University of London, said: ‘Up to a cubic metre of rock has been removed. The right-hand side of the outcrop has been cut into using a mini digger and picks and shovels. Around 400-500 fist-sized pieces of loose rock have also been taken.’
The academic added: ‘The glass would prevent further samples from being taken from this fragile site, but would still allow students and children on school trips to visit the site and see what is there.’
Dr Drake and other geologists have appealed to meteorite collectors not to buy material taken from the site.
Dr Rebecca Williams, head of geology at Hull University, said: ‘We should not be forced into secrecy when publishing on rare geological exposures.
‘Shame on the rock merchant who did this. Learn some ethics.’
Graham Andrews, a volcanologist, said: ‘If you see a sample of Scottish or Skye meteorite or ejectite, document the price and vendor and demand to know how they obtained it.’