Fossils on the market: How to exploit a non-renewable resource?

Name: CINZIA

Surname: RAGNI

Tutor (surname): DELFINO

website: https://disten.campusnet.unito.it/do/docenti.pl/Alias?massimo.delfino#tab-profilo

This project is centred around the sharp discrepancy between the approach to the fossil record shown by palaeontologists and by collectors. For scientists, fossils are tools for obtaining information (like stratigraphic, ecologic, morphologic, and evolutionary information). Still, for citizens, fossils are primarily objects: so, they are curious, good-looking objects and some of them are collectible. There are very few background studies focused on the fossils market. In any case, fossils are non-renewable resources because they are the product of natural processes that need, in some cases, millions of years to develop. The number of fossils on the planet is therefore limited. 
Fossils are traded through traditional channels, such as fairs and physical shops, but also  through online sites and auctions. However, it remains a difficult world to investigate, also because there are very few background studies focused on the fossils market.
The project will be developed along three main lines:
- the study of the national and international market thanks to a survey of auction results and
questionnaires for customers and vendors at fairs;
- a comparative analysis of the regulations applied in different countries to the  research/collection and detention/circulation (import-export)/protection of paleontological goods;
- the analysis of some case studies about fossil extraction and trade (in particular Danish, Italian, Madagascan, Moroccan case studies) based on the review of the literature, interaction with national palaeontological societies and direct interview to local stakeholders.
The results will be discussed taking into consideration ethical aspects related to the geoheritage for proposing good practices for the fossil trade and improve the collaboration between palaeontologists, institutions, and heritage communities.