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The ultra rich are collecting fossils, and that’s bad for science – podcast
UK NewsTechnologyMusic NewsAugust 18, 2026 at 5:00 AMNational

The ultra rich are collecting fossils, and that’s bad for science – podcast

By Presented and produced by Madeleine Finlay, with Nicola Davis, sound design by Joel Cox, the executive producer was Ellie BuryThe Guardian - UK News

One of the UK’s best fossil collections has been sold overseas in what experts have called a loss to the nation. The collection, which is now on display at the Natural History Museum in Abu Dhabi, was gathered on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. As dinosaur fossils sell to private collectors for increasingly large sums, scientists are worried that domestic museums are being priced out of the market, and in turn scientists are missing out on the opportunity to make new observations. To find out how fossils became big business and what it could mean for research, Madeleine Finlay hears from science correspondent Nicola DavisOne of UK’s best fossil collections sold overseas in ‘loss to the nation’Support the Guardian: theguardian.com/sciencepod Continue reading...

One of the UK’s best fossil collections has been sold overseas in what experts have called a loss to the nation. The collection, which is now on display at the Natural History Museum in Abu Dhabi, was gathered on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. As dinosaur fossils sell to private collectors for increasingly large sums, scientists are worried that domestic museums are being priced out of the market, and in turn scientists are missing out on the opportunity to make new observations. To find out how fossils became big business and what it could mean for research, Madeleine Finlay hears from science correspondent Nicola Davis

One of UK’s best fossil collections sold overseas in ‘loss to the nation’

Support the Guardian: theguardian.com/sciencepod

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