What's a Fossil Diver?

[Walter]

Thanks for resizing the photo, that was very considerate!

As for fossils, I agree with your goal, but different methods work to accomplish that goal at different sites.

 

[Cave Bum]

As for fossils, I agree with your goal, but different methods work to accomplish that goal at different sites.

Once they get out to the rivers, I agree, it preserves them to take them. So long as they are made available for others to see, not horded like sweets in a greedy childs' pocket. My concern is for sharing the wealth, letting others (or teaching others how to) experience the wonder and awe of this fabulous pre-history.

As with any commodity, the more of it that's available, the less value is in each individual piece and there are vast quantities of some artifacts in some locals, such as the Megladon teeth in the Cooper River.

I'm saying we need to balance, responsibly, the harvesting of artifacts and the public availablity for viewing of examples of what's out there.

The case of the idiot that tried to chisel the whale bone out of the cave wall at Ginnie is a prime example. Obviously there are those out there who feel justified in removing artifacts that others, like myself, feel should be left for all to see.

 

[Fossilbabe]

Once they get out to the rivers, I agree, it preserves them to take them. So long as they are made available for others to see, not horded like sweets in a greedy childs' pocket. My concern is for sharing the wealth, letting others (or teaching others how to) experience the wonder and awe of this fabulous pre-history.

As with any commodity, the more of it that's available, the less value is in each individual piece and there are vast quantities of some artifacts in some locals, such as the Megladon teeth in the Cooper River.

I'm saying we need to balance, responsibly, the harvesting of artifacts and the public availablity for viewing of examples of what's out there.

The case of the idiot that tried to chisel the whale bone out of the cave wall at Ginnie is a prime example. Obviously there are those out there who feel justified in removing artifacts that others, like myself, feel should be left for all to see.

Just a note so I can chime in as well. (You guys knew I would have to say something here) THERE IS NO HARVESTING OF ARTIFACTS! That is against the law. Knowing the difference between artifacts and fossils. Artifacts are (arrowheads, spear points, shell tools.(example materal that Indians had made) Old civil war items, this could include buttons from unforms,flint from the flintlock rifes,lead balls. Old bottles found as well. (Things made by man mostly pre-civil war) Fossils are remains of any plant,animal matter,or traces of there activity. It is hard with the laws and what you can do and what you not supposed to do. My recomendation is join a local fossil club,or use and expericed guide. They can help you as well. Their are people out there that do things like you say like the wall at Ginnie,but there also people out there killing whales as well. That problem is wide spread, everwhere all over the world. Awareness is the key here and education. I have seen it happen so many times and If they want it bad enough they will get it.


(quote:Once they get out to the rivers, I agree, it preserves them to take them. So long as they are made available for others to see, not horded like sweets in a greedy childs' pocket. My concern is for sharing the wealth, letting others (or teaching others how to) experience the wonder and awe of this fabulous pre-history. )
I totally agree with you here and education is the key. I have many of my personal fossils which i have donated to the University of Florida. I keep in contact with them regarding new species and ect. I'm on a call list, if a big discovery is made. There are many of us and we do keep in contact. They should be very careful because they never know who might be watching them. If you do see something and you know its not the right thing to do,be nice and ask them to leave it so others can learn from it and enjoy. If you have any questions please feel free to drop me a PM and I will help you out as much as I can. Thanks for reading and sharing this with us.

 

[syonker]

Hi Gang,

WOW, what a treasure trove of information you've all provided! Thank you - It gives me a new interest to pursue underwater...although I'd most likely lean toward "seeing/photographing" rather than taking...it just seems cooler to be able to see these things only as a diver and show others the photos to get them interested too. Hey, it's a "Team Sport" afterall.

Special note to Cave Bum - I loved the added "Kill only Time" piece! Very nice touch.

I live in Colorado, but plan to make various dives in Florida (in addition to those already done), so this is a great piece of information that piqued my interest.

We can continue talking about it if you'd like to add...just wanted to thank the group.

Regards,


-S

 

[Reef_Haven]

Wouldn't it be great if all the placer gold miners would leave the nicest largest nuggets on the bottom of the rivers for the rest of us to enjoy as well.
I wonder if we could get any of them to post up their favorite GPS coordinates for the best areas as well.