Fossil Return

[Neal Romanek <nromanek@earthlink.net>]

I have a fossil footprint (three toes, about 4 inches long - appears to be 
authentic) that a friend gave me years ago. He'd bought it from some roadside 
stall somewhere in Colorado or Utah. 

Now that I'm older and wiser, I want to do the right thing and turn it in...but 
turn it in to whom?

What exactly is the best procedure for fossil "turning in"? Call the local 
Natural History Museum? Call the Smithsonian? Call a university? Sell it to 
that "scientist" acquaintance of my wife's sister? Put an ad on Craigslist: 
"Free fossil! (must show credentials)"?

It would be interesting to read a good step-by-step procedure of the best way 
to do it. Is there a standard? There should be. I was just going to give the 
L.A. County Natural History Museum a ring. But I want to hear your thoughts and 
experience first.


--Neal


http://www.nealromanek.com