Contributions By Amateurs In Paleontology

[JohnJ]

An interesting article that discusses the role of amateurs in Paleontology.

Contributions by amateur paleontologists in 21st century paleontology

by John A. Catalani

[CH4ShotCaller]

Good article., especially the third paragraph. Recently, a good friend found a complete fish fossil while we searched at a good site. He consulted the Burke, donated the piece. They gave him a tour of the facility and they were very polite and professional. That convinced me that if I'm ever fortunate to find anything so rare, I will donate. Rare items, if found by me, are not mine (excluding the legal issues), they belong to all of us.

[docdutronc]

Hi

I 'm just a french amateur ,I gave my collection of fossil plants to a museum , and now I began to write paper about my discoveries , my relations with professionals are rather good . My better period was when I worked with Professor Jean Pierre Laveine and collected some sample who are published in serious publications ....
for example : Laveineopteris bifurcated rachis with cyclopteris organically connected , Spiropteris were my better find ...Valloisella also by Professor Racheboeuf....

Best regards

Bruno

Edited March 31, 2015 by docdutronc

[paleoflor]

Hi Bruno,

I recognize these plates! Fantastic to contribute specimens like that.

Also, nice to see that you are active here again.

Cheers,

Tim

[JohnJ]

Hi Bruno,

I recognize these plates! Fantastic to contribute specimens like that.

Also, nice to see that you are active here again.

Cheers,

Tim

Agreed. Good to hear from you again, Bruno.

[docdutronc]

Hi Tim and John

I left my home region of northern France and I settled in Savoie in the French Alps, I continue to be interested by fossil plants, I began to publish some articles in the French magazine "Fossiles".

Bruno

Edited April 5, 2015 by docdutronc

[DE&i]

On 27/05/2014 at 6:11 AM, JohnJ said:

An interesting article that discusses the role of amateurs in Paleontology.

Contributions by amateur paleontologists in 21st century paleontology

by John A. Catalani

 

It's a very inspiring article @JohnJ may I give my own small but vital contribution to the sciences below.

 

Help to give provenance when none is available at the time.

[minnbuckeye]

Is John Catalani a Fossil Forum member? I think he says it as well as one possibly can. Many of us non professionals have gone through a progression from just a fossil finder to an amateur paleontologist. I am personally trying to make it to that next step through education away from an institution. It is amazing how much knowledge can be acquired from just TFF alone! Let alone the vast info available on the internet. I would love to donate anything I have in the name of science but feel awkward to approach the professionals. 

 

Mike 

[doushantuo]

Genuinely and fervently hoping you will succeed!

As for information on the internet:

it isn't as free as it should be,and my experience with it is the following:

 

At the bottom of the information well,there is USUALLY an indispensable and heavily paywalled item

 

[Kane]

6 minutes ago, minnbuckeye said:

Is John Catalani a Fossil Forum member? I think he says it as well as one possibly can. Many of us non professionals have gone through a progression from just a fossil finder to an amateur paleontologist. I am personally trying to make it to that next step through education away from an institution. It is amazing how much knowledge can be acquired from just TFF alone! Let alone the vast info available on the internet. I would love to donate anything I have in the name of science but feel awkward to approach the professionals. 

 

Mike 

The value the credential confers would certainly be more access to sites, literature, and a lab, but that is not a necessary condition for deepening our appreciation of fossils. In terms of approaching professionals, I’ve never had any problems; my experiences have been positive and encouraging. Of course, people vary in general, but there is no harm in reaching out. They may be incredibly busy, but I’ve found that they do make the time and appreciate the efforts of amateurs which can add to the growing body of knowledge.  

[minnbuckeye]

@Kane, as someone that is still on the learning curve, I do not know what a University would want. If it was unknowns to take to them, I probably would keep them busy for way too long. I do not even like bothering TFF too much. Just recently on TFF, someone was telling about researching species of  Ceraurus trilobites. I then approached them with some offerings. It seems like a neat idea to have a section in the Forum for professional paleontologists to ask us to help. Somewhere where I can look and see if some of my finds could advance knowledge. Just a thought, probably totally out of proper research protocol.

 

Mike

[Kane]

1 hour ago, minnbuckeye said:

@Kane, as someone that is still on the learning curve, I do not know what a University would want. If it was unknowns to take to them, I probably would keep them busy for way too long. I do not even like bothering TFF too much. Just recently on TFF, someone was telling about researching species of  Ceraurus trilobites. I then approached them with some offerings. It seems like a neat idea to have a section in the Forum for professional paleontologists to ask us to help. Somewhere where I can look and see if some of my finds could advance knowledge. Just a thought, probably totally out of proper research protocol.

 

Mike

Well, I can say you have posted some really awesome things here. Perhaps approaching a museum first is best, as donations have to be in a repository for the researchers to get at. 

 

And you’re never a bother here, Mike. We love seeing your finds!