Re: The Dinosaur Egg Debate

[NEIL CLARK <NCLARK@museum.gla.ac.uk>]

It is better for the science to work with rather than against.  That 
having been said, there are occasions I have first hand experience
of the smallest of minorities in the 
collector/palaeontologist/dealer community having caused substantial 
damage to scientifically and internationally important sites.  It only 
takes one to spoil it for everyone else.  I also know of many fossils 
from sites near to me being put up for sale despite these sites being 
classified as SSSI's (Sites of Special Scientific Interest).  
Although these sites are supposedly 'protected' against collecting, 
or at least restricted collecting, there are no laws stopping people 
destroying sites and specimens (which has happened on more than one 
occassion).

I want to see more communication between those who deal in fossils, 
the interested collector, and the scientific palaeontologist, amateur 
or professional.  This I believe is probably the only and best way to 
prevent site destruction, but I would like to keep an open mind on 
this.

Neil

Neil Clark
Curator of Palaeontology
Hunterian Museum
University of Glasgow
email: NCLARK@museum.gla.ac.uk

Mountains are found in erogenous zones.
(Geological Howlers - ed. WDI Rolfe)