Musee Industrie Lithique in Laayoune, Morocco
Thousands of years of Laayoune-area history are preserved in the small Musee Industrie Lithique, run by the eccentric Mr. Taki. Each glass case within the museum contains dozens of objects collected by or sent to Mr. Taki, from fossils to prehistoric tools. Outside of the cases, the rooms are filled to the brim with larger artifacts. In addition to physical objects, Mr. Taki also serves as a well-known source on the story of Sanmao, a Taiwanese author who spent many years in Laayoune. Before the museum opened around 2023, the collection was held at Mr. Taki's home. During those early years, Tom Hanks visited the collection, attempting to buy a large sandrose, which is still housed in the museum today after Mr. Taki rejected the offer. Mr. Taki is renowned internationally for his work, and his awards from the UN and other organizations now take up a small section of the museum. You can message Mr. Taki via WhatsApp to schedule a visit. He also runs a small store at the Laayoune airport with souvenirs and a small display, including a photo from Tom Hanks' visit.
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