英国一项重要的侏罗纪化石收藏已被出售给阿布扎比自然历史博物馆，将于2025年11月在该馆展出。[1] 这批收藏包含318件标本，来自下侏罗纪地层，原产于英国多塞特郡的莱姆里吉斯、查茅斯等地。[1] 收藏者克里斯·摩尔最初曾以"八位数"金额向英国两家博物馆提出购买机会，但伦敦自然历史博物馆因"根本没有钱用于收购"而拒绝购买，威尔士博物馆也因缺乏资金未能取得这批收藏。[1] 英国专家认为这代表着国家的损失。[1]
然而，专家也指出，这批收藏在公众可及的博物馆展出优于被私人收藏。[1] 目前英国化石出口并无特定监管要求，化石所有权属于发现地地主，不受考古文物法保护。[1] 虽然西多塞特地区的化石采集行为守则建议采集者先向英国注册博物馆提供6个月购买期，但该守则缺乏法律约束力。[1]
A significant Jurassic fossil collection comprising 318 specimens from England's Dorset coast has been sold to Abu Dhabi's Natural History Museum, drawing criticism from British experts over the loss of an important scientific resource.[1] The collection, assembled by Chris Moore and sourced from Lower Jurassic deposits at locations including Lyme Regis and Charmouth, was initially offered to British institutions at an eight-figure price.[1] The Natural History Museum in London declined the acquisition, stating it had "fundamentally no money available for purchase," while other UK museums similarly lacked the resources to acquire the collection.[1]
The sale highlights a regulatory gap in Britain's approach to fossil heritage. Unlike archaeological artifacts, fossils are not protected under cultural property laws and remain the property of landowners on whose land they are discovered.[1] Although a West Dorset fossil collecting code of practice recommends that collectors offer materials to registered British museums for a six-month purchase period, this guidance carries no legal force.[1] British experts view the export as damaging to national scientific interests, though some acknowledge that public museum display abroad is preferable to private ownership.[1] The collection is scheduled to go on display at the Abu Dhabi museum in November 2025.[1]