Commercial Collectors in the 21st Century

      M. Triebold




      Introduction

      Commercial fossil collectors have been an integral part of paleontology since its beginning nearly 200 years ago. Those of us who have dedicated our lives to the search have made many of the greatest discoveries. From British collectors in the early 1800s, to the collecting parties of the American West in the 1860s & 70s, the collections of the famous Sternberg family up through the 1960s, and the discoveries of the few independent collectors that exist today, all have put their stamp on the very essence of paleontology.

      Current State

      Worldwide, policies run the gamut, from complete bans on commercial uses to complete freedom, to a pragmatic tolerance. Arising in the last quarter century, the split among the academic paleontological community over the value, rights, and privileges of the commercial collectors have widened. Only in the most recent years has an effort been made to try to resolve those differences. Unfortunately, each "solution" promoted the interests of one view over another, and the debate still rages. We sense that many people on both sides are tired of it all, and are sincerely seeking a resolution through compromise, making the beginning of the 21st Century a prime opportunity to breathe new life and fellowship into this now splintered and weakened discipline.

      Future

      There are five important points (and several more) upon which the commercial and academic community must reach understanding to progress, and they are tough thoughts rarely considered in some circles, but true from our perspective:

      1. Fossils do not exist for the exclusive benefit of Science.
      2. Buying and selling of fossils is not a moral issue.
      3. Ethical behavior is an individual choice, not a group characteristic.
      4. Education, display, and scientific collecting are all arenas of endeavor suitable to commercial collecting. Commercial collectors should practice the same standards of technique and documentation as their academic counterparts.
      5. Commercial and academic interests are equal. It is not the place of any one faction to define the role of the other, but to define oneÕs own role in terms of the positive contribution it can make to the whole.

      It is the desire of commercial collectors to make a contribution to science, but it is not our raison dÕêtre. More often, and more specifically, a legacy of discovery is the core motive. Innovation in technique and technologies are our peripheral gifts.

      A step in the right direction is the AAPS (American Association of Paleontological Suppliers) ethical code, which will be available for scrutiny at the meeting. Compromise policies blending the needs of all concerns are being formulated even now regarding commercial collecting on public lands in the US. There is promise in the air.

      At worst, it will come to no end, the detractorsÕ loud and boisterous voices drowning out the calls for reason. The stalemate will continue. At best, a new era of cooperation and understanding will be launched with the beginning of the next millenium that will include a healthy and prosperous academic and commercial component practicing what people will once again come to know as the science of paleontology.


      Commercial Collectors Delegates

      Mr. M. Triebold--Topic Coordinator
      535 Central Ave. N.
      Valley City, ND 58072 USA
      triebold@aol.com
      701-845-3419 (FAX)
      710-845-0133 (H) (PHONE)
      701-845-2433 (OFFICE)
      701-845-3419 (Molding/Casting)
      701-799-1336 (Cellular)

      Mr. Paul R. Janke
      President, Pan Terra, Inc.
      5554 Trading Post Trail S.
      Afton, Minnesota 55001
      curator@pconline.com
      http://www.wmnh.com
      5612-436-8130 (PHONE)

      Herr Hans-Jakob "Kirby" Siber
      Siber & Siber A. G.
      Zuericherstr. 188-190
      CH-8607 AATHAL
      Switzerland
      411-932-1463 (FAX)
      411-932-1932 or 1433 (PHONE)

      This page is maintained for the Paleo21 Organizing Committee by Norman MacLeod and H. Richard Lane. Corrections, inquiries about, and updates to any of the information shown above should be directed to Norm and/or Rich.