Alnif

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Town in Drâa-Tafilalet, Morocco

31°07′N 5°10′W / 31.117°N 5.167°W / 31.117; -5.167Country

MoroccoRegionDrâa-TafilaletProvinceTinghir ProvincePopulation

(2010)

• Total3,170Time zoneUTC+0 (WET) • Summer (DST)UTC+1 (WEST)

Alnif is a town in Tinghir Province, Drâa-Tafilalet, Morocco, known for its significant paleontological discoveries. It is located in the southeastern region of Morocco, approximately 180 kilometers east of Ouarzazate, and 1,020 kilometers south of Rabat. According to the 2014 census, the town has a population of 3,770. It lies on the N12 highway, connecting Tinejdad and Taouz.

Geology

The Alnif Basin is situated within the western portion of the Sahara platform, a large region that extends across North Africa. The basin is composed of sedimentary rocks that were deposited during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras. The rocks within the basin have been subjected to significant tectonic activity, resulting in a complex geological history. The basin is particularly known for its fossil-rich deposits, which contain important records of early life on Earth.

Paleontological discoveries

Alnif is situated in the region known as the Alnif Basin, which has been the site of numerous paleontological discoveries. The town and its surrounding areas have yielded a large number of fossils, particularly those from the Late Devonian and Early Carboniferous periods. These fossils have included a wide range of prehistoric creatures, including dinosaurs, marine reptiles, and other ancient animals.

Some of the most significant discoveries in the area have been made at the Tizi n'Tagharat Formation, which is located near Alnif. This formation has yielded a large number of well-preserved fossils, including those of early tetrapods, fish, and other creatures.