Time Team Forum Friends :: View topic – FOR SALE _ DINOSAUR BRAIN

Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 4:44 pm    Post subject: FOR SALE _ DINOSAUR BRAIN

no – not another recipe for Duro a news story

http://www.bexhilltoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=494&ArticleID=1322269

How Jamie has enraged the academics over dinosaur find A BEXHILL man has caused controversy in academic circles with his attempts to sell what he claims to be a rare fossil. Jamie Hiscocks found the ‘fossilised dinosaur brain’ (pictured) on Bexhill beach two years ago, but has only just decided to go ‘public’ about the discovery. But the Observer has been told leading scientists are angry at Mr Hiscocks’ decision to sell the fossil for a six – figure sum and are refusing to comment on the find. Mr Hiscocks says the argument is regrettable but he is free to dispose of the fossil anyway he chooses. He says he offered the piece to the Natural History Museum for £750,000 – an offer they declined. Mr Hiscocks, who has been a fossil hunter for several years, said: “We made it clear to the museum the price we were asking was negotiable. We were actually testing out the market for such an extremely rare fossil. The fact is, I have found an extraordinary artefact of nature, something very special – a natural cast of a dinosaur brain, which is the nearest anyone is going to find to a real or true dinosaur brain. What I have is a perfect 3D representation of that organ. “Any controversy caused by the pricing of my fossil we think is regrettable. However, we are steadfastly confident regarding our six figure valuation – the detailed facts justify an upward asking price of six figures. “The problems we encountered with the museum regarding the original asking price is attributable to the limited funds – we did not know this at the time – they have to acquire rare specimens, and/or the principles regarding the collecting and sale of fossils of the approached parties concerned. I am the legal owner of this fossil, ultimately it is up to me how I dispose of it.” Mr Hiscocks says the fossil has been identified by a leading academic as the endocranial cast of an Iguanodon – a copy of what would have been found in the head of a 10 metre long, two ton, prehistoric monster. He said: “Simply put my fossil is a natural cast of a dinosaur brain, or to put it another way, my fossil and similar specimens are the most accurate representations of dinosaur brains one will find in nature. “My fossil and similar specimens are technically known as dinosaur endocranial natural casts. What is extraordinary about my fossil and indeed all fossilised endocranial casts is that they preserve the very fine detail of the brain including fossilised impressions of nerves, blood vessels and soft tissue.” He believes finding the fossil required a huge slice of luck. “I had been searching an area which had been newly exposed by the stormy weather. I was very fortunate to spot it, since it was one piece among thousands of other pieces of small boulders of rock. When I first spotted it amongst the loose rubble I wasn’t sure if it was a fossil but it had an unusual shape, that’s what made me pick it up. “When I held it in my hand I realised it was indeed a fossil but a very unusual looking one. Later on I was able to show it to my brother, Jon, who is also an avid collector of UK dinosaur fossils. After a few moments he said excitedly ‘I think I know what this. It looks like the fossilised brain of a dinosaur.'” He added: “I also realise if this fossil was left on the beach there was a chance it would not have survived another winter. Very likely it would have been lost forever to the elements.” The fossil is currently kept at an undisclosed location for safekeeping. The brothers admit they have gained an unwanted reputation among some palaeontologists – an attitude they find difficult to understand. People are perfectly entitled to dispose of these as they please. Some academics do not like the commercialisation of fossils.” A spokesman for the Natural History Museum said: “We are sceptical about it (the fossil) and would want to actually see it for it to be confirmed before we make any comment. “We really wouldn’t want to comment on this case anyway.” Many of the dinosaur fossils found in the town are donated to Bexhill Museum. The museum said they did not wish to comment on this case._________________Corinne Mills

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Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:53 pm    Post subject:

The Daughter (who is is the Dinosaur Expert in the family) says that the brain would turn to mush a long time before the fossilisation process would take place.

It would also seem, reading the article, that he offered the ‘fossil’ to the NHM for £750,000 without them actually seeing the piece?

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