Why palaeontologists must break the law: a polemic from an apologist.

Fossil-collecting legislation, intended to protect fossils, often fails to achieve its goal while restricting public participation and scientific progress. This polemic argues that such laws stifle the assembly of scientifically valuable and culturally significant collections, reducing opportunities for both researchers and enthusiasts. The essay advocates for unrestricted fossil collecting as a means to foster scientific discovery and cultural heritage, emphasizing that fossils remain undiscovered—and thus unprotected—until they are unearthed.

Martill, D. M. (2018). Why palaeontologists must break the law: a polemic from an apologist. Geological Curator, 10(10), 641–649. https://doi.org/10.55468/gc322