Re: "Raymond" the triceratops

[kjhanson@wolf.co.net]

Hello,

Betty Cunningham had questions about an article in the Lapidary Journal
regarding "Raymond", a triceratops whose right front leg is of interest.
Since I'm acquainted with the author of the article, I called her for
answers to the questions.

1. "Raymond" was found on a private ranch. The finder-a commerical fossil
collector-allowed the Lapidary Journal to do a story on the condition that
his identity and the exact location of the find remain under wraps until
the specimen is finally placed.

2. The guy who found "Raymond" sold him to a private collector. The private
collector's plan is to house the fossil in a museum (while maintaining
ownership), thus making it available for scientific study.

3. The specimen is in excellent condition. The articulation seems very
clear to those who've seen it. As explained in the article, the
articulation suggests an upright stance, which is how the specimen came out
of the ground.

4. Yes, there will probably be a paper on it.

5. As far as the author knows, the owner/buyer has not yet chosen the
researchers/preparators.  Black Hills Institute was not involved in the
transaction. BHI was summoned only for advice regarding proper extrication
and the scientific preservation of the specimen. The Institute will be
allowed to purchase a cast.

6. It has been the private collector's intent from the beginning to make
the leg accessible to paleontologists at a museum.

The author says this case is a good example of how the system works. The
person who found the fossil sold it in order to finance his work; the
collector will house the specimen in a museum and make it available to
scientists. Without commercial fossil people, the author says, "Raymond"
would not have been found.

Kevin Hanson