Fossil collecting

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"Fossil hunter" redirects here. For the science fiction novel, see Fossil Hunter.
Collecting fossilized shark's teeth is an easy way to begin collecting fossils. They are often found in abundance on public beaches. The teeth shown here were collected in Castle Hayne, North Carolina, and are from the Eocene and Cretaceous divisions.
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Fossil collecting (sometimes, in a non-scientific sense, fossil hunting) is the

fossils for scientific study, hobby, or profit. Fossil collecting, as practiced by amateurs, is the predecessor of modern paleontology
and many still collect fossils and study fossils as amateurs. Professionals and amateurs alike collect fossils for their scientific value. A commercial trade in fossils has also long existed, with some of this being practised illegally.

Process

Locating fossils

Rock type

Fossils are generally found in

gastropod, algae, vertebrate, and trace fossils. Fossils are not to be found in areas of igneous rock (except in some beds between lava flows). In rocks which have undergone metamorphism, fossils are generally so distorted that they are difficult to recognize or have been destroyed completely.[3]

Preservation

After burial various factors are at work to endanger the current fossil's preserved state. Chemical alteration would change the mineral composition of the fossil, but generally not its appearance, lithification would distort its appearance, the fossil itself may be fully or partially dissolved leaving only a fossil mold.[2][4]

Exposure

College students collecting fossils as part of their invertebrate paleontology course. This is a roadside outcrop of Ordovician limestones and shales in southeastern Indiana.

Areas where sedimentary rocks are being eroded include exposed

road cuts. Coal mining operations often yield excellent fossil plants, but the best ones are to be found not in the coal itself but in the associated sedimentary rock deposits called coal measures
.

Wave-washed sea cliffs and foreshore exposures are often good places to search for fossils,

Naracoorte Caves
in Australia).

Generally in appearance, a fossil will be either a different colour to the surrounding rock, because of the different mineral content, will have a defining shape and texture or a combination of both. A fossil can also be extracted from its geological environment, having similar characteristics in colour naturally embed from the sedimentary formation (surrounding rock) it was found within.[4]

Collecting techniques

The techniques used to collect fossils vary depending on the sediment or rock in which the fossils are to be found. For collecting in rock a

brushes are used. Sieves in a variety of mesh sizes are used to separate fossils from sands and gravels
. Sieving is a rougher technique for collecting fossils and can destroy fragile ones. Sometimes, water is run through a sieve to help remove silt and sand. This technique is called wet sieving

Fossils tend to be very fragile and are generally not extracted entirely from the surrounding rock (the matrix) in the field. Cloth, cotton, small boxes and aluminum foil are frequently used to protect fossils being transported. Occasionally, large fragile specimens may need to be protected and supported using a jacket of

tracks are frequently documented with casts. Subtle fossils which are preserved solely as impressions in sandy layers, such as the Ediacaran fossils
, are also usually documented by means of a cast, which shows detail more clearly than the rock itself.

Preparation and cleaning

Further information: Fossil preparation

Sometimes, for smaller fossils, a stiff brush may simply be used to dust off and clean the fossil. For larger fossils, a chisel can be used to remove large bits of dirt, however, you run the risk of damaging the fossil. Running water can cause some types of fossils to either dislodge from the rock, or even crumble and break apart, for they are very fragile. Dental tools are sometimes used to remove small amounts of rock from the fossil.

Documentation

A knowledge of the precise location a fossil is essential if the fossil is to have any scientific value. Details of the parent rock strata, the location of the find, and other fossil material associated with the find help scientists to place the fossil in context, in terms of the time, location and situation in which the organism lived.

museums
.

Collecting ethics

To collect fossils, there are various legal realities that must be observed. Permission should be sought before collection begins on private land.

national parks
and other areas of natural beauty is often discouraged and in most cases is illegal.

The first expressly worded fossil-collecting code was published from the museum-home of pioneering geologist

Minister for Environment, Scotland, as part of celebrations honouring the bicentennial of the founding of the Geological Society of London. The code supplements an existing draft drawn up by English Nature.[10]

The code advises fossil collectors to seek permission from landowners, to collect responsibly, record details, seek advice on finding an unusual fossil and label the specimens and care for them. Its principles establish a framework of advice on best practices in the collection, identification, conservation and storage of fossil specimens.

The non-binding

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) following many months of consultation with fossil collectors, landowners, palaeontological researchers, and staff of Scotland's museums.[11]

Fossil trade

Main article: Fossil trade
Tarbosaurus and Saurolophus skeletons that were smuggled to the US, and subsequently returned to Mongolia, at Central Museum of Mongolian Dinosaurs

Fossil trading is the practice of buying and selling fossils. This is illegal when it comes to stolen fossils, and some important scientific specimens are sold to collectors, rather than given or obtained by museums and institutes of study.[12][13][14][15] Much focus has been put on the illegal fossil dealing in China, where many specimens have been stolen.[16] The fossil trade of Morocco has also been the focus of international attention. The trade is lucrative, and many celebrities collect fossils.[17]

The

US Congress
with SVP's full support.

Many commercial fossil collectors and dealers believe that such policies are a breach of their rights. The argument has also been put forth that there are too few professional paleontologists to collect and preserve fossils currently exposed to the elements, and that it is therefore essential that private citizens be allowed to collect them for the sake of their preservation. Eric Scott, the Curator of Paleontology for the San Bernardino County Museum, argues that 1) private citizens and amateur (not for profit) collectors can and do participate frequently in the permitted recovery and preservation of significant vertebrate fossils, and 2) preservation of significant fossils does not require or mandate sale of those fossils.[19]

According to the ethics by-law of SVP, "The barter, sale, or purchase of scientifically significant vertebrate fossils is not condoned, unless it brings them into or keeps them within a public trust."[20]

Some fossil trade is not for collecting but due to the use of certain fossils in traditional medicine mainly in East Asia but also in Europe and other places.[21]

Societies and clubs

Many include fossil collectors. Lapidary clubs also include fossil collectors. In addition, paleontological societies and fossil clubs exist. There is some overlap between fossil collecting, mineral collecting, and amateur geology.

Mary Anning, a famous collector and seller of fossils

Notable fossil collectors

See also

References

  1. ^ "Where to look for fossils". San Diego Natural History Museum. Archived from the original on 2007-09-07. Retrieved 2007-09-06.
  2. ^
    ISBN 0-540-08374-7
    .
  3. ^ "Stratigraphy Fossil-Bearing Rocks". The Rochester Academy of Science. Archived from the original on 2004-09-18. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
  4. ^ a b "How to look for fossils". San Diego Natural History Museum. Archived from the original on 1999-02-19. Retrieved 2007-09-06.
  5. ^ "Best Places in the US to Find Dinosaur Fossils". Archived from the original on 2022-01-12. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  6. ^ "Dinnertime at Cuddie Springs: hunting and butchering megafauna?". Judith Furby, School of Archaeology, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-11-14. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
  7. ^ "Development of the Naracoorte Caves". South Australian Parks Web. Archived from the original on 2007-09-01. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
  8. ^ "Discover what you have". San Diego Natural History Museum. Archived from the original on 1999-10-05. Retrieved 2007-09-06.
  9. ^ "Do's and don'ts for fossil hunters". American Museum of Natural History. Archived from the original on 2007-08-10. Retrieved 2007-09-06.
  10. ^ "English nature's code of collecting". Archived from the original on January 14, 2002.
  11. ^ "Geology.com: an early draft of the full code". Archived from the original on June 24, 2007.
  12. ^ Milmo, Cahal (2009-11-25). "Fossil theft: One of our dinosaurs is missing". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 2017-06-23. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
  13. ^ Simons, Lewis. "Fossil Wars". National Geographic. The National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2013-05-31.
  14. ^ Willis, Paul; Clark, Tim; Dennis, Carina (18 April 2002). "Fossil Trade". Catalyst. Archived from the original on 24 May 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  15. ^ Farrar, Steve (5 November 1999). "Cretaceous crimes that fuel the fossil trade". Times Higher Education. Archived from the original on 20 August 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  16. ISSN 0272-4634
    .
  17. ^ Luxury Market For Dinosaur Remains Thrives, The Huffington Post, 10 November 2010, archived from the original on 12 February 2017, retrieved 21 May 2012
  18. ^ "Statement regarding the sale of vertebrate fossils online". Archived from the original on July 14, 2010.
  19. doi:10.2110/palo.2005.S06
    .
  20. ^ "Statement regarding the sale of vertebrate fossils online". The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. Archived from the original on 3 April 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  21. ^ van der Geer, Alexandra; Dermitzakis, Michael (2010). "Fossils in pharmacy: from "snake eggs" to "Saint's bones"; an overview" (PDF). Hellenic Journal of Geosciences. 45: 323–332. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2013-06-19. Retrieved 2018-12-15.

Further reading

External links
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