Protect Britain's fossil heritage from foreign buyers, urges Guardian editorial
Senior museum figures are campaigning for fossils to be classified as national treasures under export control rules, which currently exclude natural objects. The call follows the sale of a private Jurassic Coast collection to the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi for an eight-figure sum. Unlike countries like Brazil and Mongolia, Britain relies on a voluntary code of conduct for fossil exports.
The Waverley criteria, which govern export controls on culturally significant objects, currently apply only to manufactured items, leaving natural specimens like fossils unprotected. This regulatory gap allowed a private 318-piece Jurassic Coast collection to be sold to the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi after London's Natural History Museum and Museum Wales could not match the eight-figure price. Britain operates a voluntary code of conduct for fossil exports, whereas countries such as Brazil and Mongolia claim state ownership of such specimens.
Fossil values have surged dramatically, with a Tyrannosaurus rex named Gus setting an auction record at Sotheby's in 2026, following high-profile purchases by hedge fund managers and celebrities. This commercial boom has deep cultural roots, from Mary Anning's pioneering 19th-century discoveries in Lyme Regis to the enduring popularity of Jurassic Park films, which have been credited with fueling current collecting enthusiasm.
This campaign could reshape how Britain balances scientific preservation against private commerce. If fossils gain national treasure status, collectors and institutions may face new export restrictions, potentially affecting auction values and international museum acquisitions. Researchers and the public could benefit from greater access to significant specimens, while private hunters might reduce their activities if export barriers diminish financial incentives. The outcome may influence how other nations with rich fossil deposits approach similar protection debates.