Block export of ‘national treasure’ UK fossils, says MP
An MP has called on ministers to change export controls so that significant fossils can be classed as national treasures after one of the UK's best collections was sold overseas.
Intelligence analysis by Llama
An MP is calling for changes to export controls to keep significant fossils in the UK after a major collection was sold to the Natural History Museum in Abu Dhabi. The collection, which includes hundreds of specimens, was sold for an eight-figure sum.
Imagine you're on a beach in Dorset, and you find a really cool old shell. That shell is like a piece of history, and it's special because it's from a long time ago. Some people collect these old shells and fossils, and they're really important for scientists to study. But sometimes, these collectors sell their shells and fossils to museums in other countries, and that can be a problem because it means we might lose them forever. An MP is saying that we should make it harder for these shells and fossils to be sold to other countries, so that we can keep them in the UK and learn from them.
Analysis
Fossil Sales and Export Controls
The sale of the Chris Moore collection to the Natural History Museum in Abu Dhabi has sparked concerns about the loss of national treasures and the need for changes to export controls. The collection, which includes hundreds of specimens, was sold for an eight-figure sum. The UK's cultural goods export controls are intended to give the country an opportunity to retain objects of outstanding national importance. However, these controls do not cover fossils and other items of natural history because they are not 'made.' This means that some important and rare fossils can be sold without an export license.
The Importance of Preserving Fossils
Fossils are a vital part of the UK's natural history and cultural heritage. They provide a window into the country's past and offer insights into the evolution of life on Earth. The Jurassic Coast, where the Moore collection was found, is a world heritage site that boasts many different fossilized ammonite species. Preserving these fossils is essential for scientific research and education.
Calls for Change
Senior figures at Lyme Regis Museum have called on ministers to change the way fossil discoveries are recorded and sold. They want fossils of exceptional scientific or national significance to be covered by the Waverley criteria, which are used to determine whether an object is classed as a 'national treasure.' This would allow UK museums to acquire significant fossils and prevent them from being sold overseas. The government has been asked to support a national register of important fossil finds to protect the country's natural heritage.
Key points
- An MP has called on ministers to change export controls to include fossils.
- The sale of the Chris Moore collection to the Natural History Museum in Abu Dhabi has sparked concerns about the loss of national treasures.
- Senior figures at Lyme Regis Museum want fossils of exceptional scientific or national significance to be covered by the Waverley criteria.
- The government has been asked to support a national register of important fossil finds to protect the country's natural heritage.
If the government changes the export controls to include fossils, it could help to preserve the UK's natural history and cultural heritage. This could also lead to more opportunities for scientists and researchers to study these important fossils.
If the government does not change the export controls, it could lead to the loss of significant fossils and a reduction in the UK's ability to preserve its natural history and cultural heritage.
