UK treasure hunters’ fossil rush sparks concerns
On December 26 last year (Boxing Day), a massive ichthyosaur skeleton fossil worth £15,000 (approximately RMB 149,000) was discovered on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, UK, causing quite a stir. Treasure hunters from across the UK flocked to the area, hoping to also find dinosaur fossils and make huge profits. According to a report by the UK’s Daily Mail on January 19, scientists are deeply concerned that illegal excavation and trade of local dinosaur remains are becoming increasingly rampant.
The Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stretches 96 miles (approximately 154.5 kilometers) and was formed 180 million years ago. On December 26 last year, amateur collector Alan Saxon was visiting the Jurassic Coast when he accidentally spotted the exposed remains of a massive ichthyosaur skeleton. With the help of professional fossil hunter Paul Crossley, the two spent eight hours excavating the entire fossil skeleton. It is estimated that this well-preserved ichthyosaur skeleton is worth £15,000 (approximately RMB 149,000).
Once the news was reported, treasure hunters from all over the UK rushed to the site, all hoping to discover dinosaur fossils and strike it rich. Crossley said, “In the area, hunting for dinosaur fossils is big business. If you’re lucky, some fossils can sell for millions.” While the treasure hunters are enthusiastic and ambitious, experts have expressed concern.
Experts say that dinosaur fossil remains are irreplaceable treasures that are crucial for understanding the history of Earth’s development. However, due to illegal excavation and trade, many precious dinosaur fossils are not preserved in laboratories or museums but instead end up on the walls of government offices, in the mansions of Russian billionaires, or even at the bottom of swimming pools owned by Japanese tycoons.