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Re: Idle ramblings from Alaska

Hello Jeanne and list

DEVONS wrote:
> 
> Wouldn't it make sense to have a truly cooperative arrangement whereby the
> Smithsonian gets x% and the finder gets x%?  It would probably increase the
> available material for everyone.  And it would also increase the likelihood
> of more accurate reporting by finders, don't you think?  I wonder how many

--snip--

It's the age old problem of two groups not trusting each other, and
extreme factions in each wanting to keep everything. Until reasonable
people can make reasonable agreements it will probably stay status quo.

There are some arrangements similar to what you suggest between fossil
hunters and some museums that have permission to search federal land.
Very specific about how searches are conducted and documented and who
can keep what types of fossils. Similar arrangements might be made
eventually with reputable meteorite hunters, but I think dealers will
have to stop trying to walk out of museums with rare material before
there is widespread trust.

> By the way, suppose I found a meteorite on an iceburg up here?  What
> THEN?!?

Probably would depend on whether or not you told anyone and whether or
not the berg was in international, U.S. or Alaskan waters.

Gene

> 
> Regards to all,
> Jeanne
> 
> Men resemble the gods in nothing so much as in
> doing good to their fellow creatures.
>      -Cicero
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