Fossils have
always held a special fascination for us, lending their mysterious forms
to myths and fairy tales, filling our minds with questions of the past.
Whether it was on a trip to the local science museum or an unexpected find
amid a pile of rocks, many people around the world remember their wonder
and delight as they beheld a piece of the earth's history. Visions of dinosaurs
danced in our heads, calling us to dig up our back yards...much to the
consternation of our parents. Romantic visions of the great find, the bone
or skeleton that would solve a mystery or begin a new one--all this (plus
books and movies such as Jurassic Park) have led to the increased public
interest in fossils and the field of paleontology. With this increased
interest comes conflict, as fossils or fossil localities are fought over
and reputations made or ruined. With more interest comes more chance for
misunderstanding-- the more people there are, the greater the number of
opinions, some heartfelt. Bones fly.
Fossils can
be found all over the world, their presence alluding to a strange and wonderful
past. Where once fossils could only be obtained by scrabbling around in
the dirt, or looking up a local rock hound, many fossil enthusiasts need
only go online to find the fossil of their heart's desire.
International
barriers are breaking down, in this age of globalization, causing, among
other things, conflict and misunderstanding in the fossil world. Fossils
have become a hot item, and with the product in such high demand, many
less-than-scrupulous characters cut corners and break laws. Most countries
have laws regarding the collection and removal of fossils. Many of these
laws and the penalty for their violation differ greatly. Some think the
laws regarding fossils should be more exclusive, limiting access to fossils,
while others think the laws should be more inclusive, opening up previously
inaccessable land to fossil hunters and commerical collectors.
Short and Sweet Summaries of International Fossil Laws and Codes of Conduct: