The Guardian view on the export of fossils: they deserve national treasure status
Scientific specimens are being sold to foreign museums or snapped up by the super-rich. They should have the same legal protections as works of art
TL;DR
- Senior museum figures advocate for fossils to be classified as national treasures under the Waverley criteria.
- Current rules for national treasures exclude natural objects like fossils.
- A private collection of 318 fossils from the Jurassic Coast was sold for a reported eight-figure sum to the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.
- UK museums like the Natural History Museum London and Museum Wales could not afford to purchase the collection.
- Unlike countries where fossils belong to the state, Britain relies on a voluntary code of conduct.
- Fossils are increasingly valued as both scientific specimens and aesthetic objects, with high-profile auctions and celebrity collectors.
- Historical figures like Mary Anning were crucial paleontologists but faced societal barriers.
- Fossils hold scientific importance, providing clues about past ecosystems, climate, and biodiversity, which are vital for understanding the current environmental emergency.
- Private collectors play a role in discovery, especially in eroding landscapes.
- Measures to protect important fossils are overdue, ensuring they remain accessible for scientific study and public appreciation.