Erfan Khosravi, a paleontologist and zoologist, has recently announced the discovery of newly identified dinosaur footprints in Iran. In a message on the social media platform X, he pointed out the importance of this finding and the need for its protection. Khosravi believes that the release of information before completing scientific investigations may lead to misunderstandings about the significance and nature of these artifacts.
The Necessity of Caution in Releasing Details
Khosravi explained in an interview with reporters that so far, approximately 10 to 11 locations in Iran have been identified or reported for dinosaur footprints. He emphasized that announcing the details of the discovery location and the identities of the discoverers may jeopardize the security of the site and the individuals involved against natural artifact destroyers and fossil traffickers. This researcher stressed that he is not the discoverer of these footprints and is only responsible for research planning in this area.
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Financial Challenges and Securing Research Resources
Khosravi also referred to financial issues in paleontological research and said: "Studying dinosaur footprints goes beyond finding an artifact and photographing it. This work requires the presence of several researchers, field studies, and precise data recording." He further explained that securing funding for this type of research has become significantly more difficult, and researchers now have to seek new ways to attract financial supporters.
He noted that his message on the social media platform X has encouraged some individuals to search for the discovery site and exploit it for personal gain. This issue highlights serious challenges in protecting fossil artifacts. Khosravi believes that these artifacts are part of the country's natural heritage and that protecting them has both scientific and public importance.
Past Experiences and the Necessity of Protective Considerations
Khosravi referred to the fate of some previous artifacts and said: "One of the first collections of dinosaur footprints in Iran was identified in the late 1960s, but with the expansion of exploitative activities, parts of it were damaged." He considered this experience a reason for the necessity of caution in informing about new findings and added: "Releasing the exact locations of sites may increase the risk of destruction or unauthorized access to them."
This paleontologist further emphasized the importance of scientific examination of fossil artifacts and explained that the primary duty of a researcher is to investigate the authenticity and nature of the artifact. He stressed that the main goal of researchers is to record and study scientific information, not to remove artifacts from their discovery locations.
Khosravi concluded by noting that informing about new findings should be accompanied by protective considerations, and thus, researchers are striving to prevent the destruction of fossil artifacts and remind the community of the importance of protecting this natural heritage.
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