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Hello to everyone! I'm a chemical engineering student in Greece who has paleontology and geology as a hobby. I see a lot of people abroad finding fossils and studying actual samples and I am looking for a way to start on my own someday. What is the best way to start? What are key fossil sites in the Balkans? Are there cases where it is ethical to take fossils for personal interest? In Greece where I live (specifically Athens) there are Penteli and Pikermi with known fossil sites. Additionally, fossils have been found in several islands of the Aegean Pelagos. I have zero knowledge of fossil sites in other countries. As far as ethics are concerned, I believe someone acquiring a fossil should communicate with a university that can collect data and improve its knowledge. A person on their own cannot easily conduct research, not only because of the tools and machines that might be needed but also because they don't have complete knowledge of the fossil record. Also, keeping a fossil for decoration should be done, in my opinion, if the fossil isn't needed to improve the fossil record or if the collector can keep the fossil after research goals have been achieved. I don't want to expand a lot on the subject. I'd love to hear other opinions on the subject and learn about finding fossils.

If I come across a rather large cache of various fossils in an undocumented area, do I need to report it? More context. They are all "parts and pieces". Scutes, teeth (no sharks), jaws, bones, fins, crushing teeth etc. They were in a branch of a stream that also held the first unearthed Hadrosaurus about a mile away. They were all on the surface within about 1/2 mile from one another. Most are pretty river worn but there are also a lot of keepers and even a few potentially museum-quality pieces. Should I report my findings or quietly open up a new web store- Thagomizers, etc.® (It's mostly osteoderms) Thanks in advance for your help.

I have several professional relationships with renowned paleontologists. Collecting ethics is a topic that I have discussed with them and other hobbyists at length. Note: I am a hobbyist and fossil collector. There appear to be a number of legitimate "scientific" concerns: 1. Do field "collectors" (hobbyists) know the difference between common and uncommon (rare) fossils they discover? 2. Do hobbyists know how to properly excavate and document fossil discoveries? This includes professional excavation techniques, proper formation and strata ID, pictures, field notes for data collection. 3. Do hobbyists have the background expertise to do field forensics? (in situ fossil examination) 4. Are hobbyists respectful of the quantity of fossil material they remove? (cite fossil locals depleted of fossil material - eg Union Wash Ammonites) 5, Do hobbyists call in professional paleontologists when they discover fossils that require a paleontologist who has necessary expertise? 6. Are hobbyists willing to take pictures vs. remove rare fossil material so paleontologists may benefit from the collection of scientific data in the future? 7. Are hobbyists willing to protect fossil sites from publicity to avoid over collecting or damaging rare fossil material on public lands? I have been to several "non-publicized" fossil sites that are on BLM land and have avoided discussing or listing the sites online out of concern collectors may not be respectful. Note: I have not received "push-back" from surface collecting so long as the fossil material is not rare.