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Amateur Fossil Collectors are Essential to Paleontology Kerste Milik “Someone needs to get the fossils out of the ground or off the beach. There are far too many fossils out there for professional paleontologists to salvage and they are continuously being exposed,” said Boessenecker. This exposure leads to fossils being eroded and lost to science, unless amateurs continue to collect. “If we don't collect the fossils, and we're rude or dismissive or simply not proactive about our amateur otreach efforts - then donation streams have a very real danger of drying up,” he said. Link to article

I am unable to identify these pieces from my grandad's collection. He is now unable to clearly see and so sadly couldn't identify it. It must be something, he was a zoologist and the shale meant enough to have a crack repaired. Parts look like bones to me. I'd love to get these identified so I can prep them, making them clearer so he can see them clearer again.

I was wondering if anyone can recommend reports/websites/guides etc, that explain in more detail how the fossil trade works, from excavation through to a dealer? This is assuming new pieces (not a prior sold piece, returning to market), they have not excavated it themselves and that it is legal- but especially when covering foreign sourced material. And how that might vary from country to country, say Morocco vs Germany. Likewise, this is most applicable to somewhat valuable pieces, worth of enough steps in the value chain! For example, how many links are there often in the chain, from the site where it is found, to a dealer's website or exhibition stand? Likewise, any info on how very roughly how pricing evolves (and this clearly varies!) would be interesting! I am a starting off studying (with a view to beginning collecting later!) and keen to understand how the trade eco-system works so to speak and the different potential steps! E.g. is there an on site local who finds the fossils, from whom it gets acquired by a wholesale type dealer in that country, who lacks the end customers (often overseas), but is respected by foreign dealers, with the latter then purchasing it from them- before it ends up on a website/show for sale! And maybe one step is skipped out by those especially knowledgeable or experienced dealers. I appreciate everything will depend, and there are no hard or fast rules, but just want to general "educate" myself about the industry! Thanks for all your help! AZ