Fossil identification

1. Fake Fossils – caveat emptor – knowledge is power

In a collectibles field as wide ranging and extensive as that of palaeontology, it is essential that the collector be equipped with the knowledge to discriminate authentic from fake.

Knowledge is power – there is no shortcut to acquiring the necessary information required to prevent the collector from purchasing an expensive (albeit worthless) artefact.

Thorough investigation of the subject matter is critical prior to acquisition of any collectible, particularly in the field of antiquities and palaeontology.

Collector ignorance is key for those producing and supplying faked artefacts – frequently the work of artisans in unfortunate or impoverished circumstances, particularly Morocco, Thailand, China who may have come to rely upon the proceeds of their craft.

However more affluent regions are known to fetter worthless man made constructs – usually the burden of recrimination falls upon those fossil dealers who out of ignorance or deliberation, supply to an uniformed buying public.

Frequently the fake is readily identifiable but increasingly with improving techniques of construction, specimens of high credibility find their way to the collectibles market.

It is therefore IMPERATIVE that the prospective buyer be both informed and only purchase from reputable fossil dealers (preferably preparators).

2. Fossil preparators

In contrast to fossil dealers, preparators have first hand knowledge and experience of handling, working with and preparing a wide range of fossils – removing matrix from virgin fossilized material – consolidating the revealed fossils – and performing restoration as required.

Familiar with techniques employed by the artisans producing faked fossils, preparators readily examine, test and identify, features which may show evidence of artificial construction.

Here at Triassica.com, we have been dismayed to find fossils supplied by dealers described as having no repair, restoration or being genuine original pieces, when upon our acquisition for further preparatory work have found (sometimes) extensive repair, restoration – even to the point of compositing.

3. Fossil compositing

Compositing is heinous (if not declared) – being the manufacture of one whole fossil from two or more specimens – however it must be realised that some fossils (namely vertebrates) are virtually never excavated completely intact and therefore compositing is the only method by which (eg. Dinosaur skeletons) can be displayed whole.

It is common and necessary practice for instance, for museums to collaborate and share material amongst themselves to produce a complete dinosaur skeleton for museum display.

This is not deception, rather the only way by which the public may ever see the likes of a Tyrannosaurus rex in all its glory as most have been discovered less than 50% complete – even Sue (one of the most complete T. rex) discovered August 12 1990 is ony around 90% complete.

An earlier discovery (Stan) in Spring of 1987 is just 65% complete – the dilemma in producing a skeleton worthy of display is to either include suitable bones from other specimen(s) or recreate missing elements from materials such as high density foam, latex, plaster, resin etc.

The point being that certain fossils, never being discovered intact have to be composited, restored to be presentable (for display) unless required for scientific purposes.

In which case, declared compositing, restoration, reconstruction is bona fide and not relative to producing a faked construct.

It should be assumed therefore that all vertebrate fossils - reptilian (dinosaurs included)  mammalian, amphibian etc presented as complete, intact to the collector for purchase, most assuredly will have restoration performed and possibly reconstruction/composition as a matter of fact.

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