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The Fossil Business

by Kasturi Das (India)

India

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On a recent visit to Langza, the Fossil Village in Spiti Valley, India, I spent a good amount of time looking under rocks for ammonite/cephalopoda fossils. My quest was triggered by extensive reading on the region that was once under the Tethys Sea. I found two. One is shown in the picture.
On a recent visit to Langza, the Fossil Village in Spiti Valley, India, I spent a good amount of time looking under rocks for ammonite/cephalopoda fossils. My quest was triggered by extensive reading on the region that was once under the Tethys Sea. I found two. One is shown in the picture.
Although illegal, these fossils, that are millions of years old, are sold as souvenirs to tourists in local shops and by children for as little as Rs 10. Here, a boy of 12-13 years of age tries to sell me one. Upon my refusal, he comes up with another deal: barter my hand sanitizer for his fossil.
Although illegal, these fossils, that are millions of years old, are sold as souvenirs to tourists in local shops and by children for as little as Rs 10. Here, a boy of 12-13 years of age tries to sell me one. Upon my refusal, he comes up with another deal: barter my hand sanitizer for his fossil.
Curious tourists gather around the fossil selling boys to get a glimpse of the ancient treasures of Langza. The locals are unaware of the value of the fossils. They say the fossils are in abundance, and it won't hurt to sell a few.
Curious tourists gather around the fossil selling boys to get a glimpse of the ancient treasures of Langza. The locals are unaware of the value of the fossils. They say the fossils are in abundance, and it won't hurt to sell a few.
We refrained from buying the fossils as it affects research and destroys key links in the geographical history of the land. The boys laid out the fossils for us to see after we promised to pay them for it.
We refrained from buying the fossils as it affects research and destroys key links in the geographical history of the land. The boys laid out the fossils for us to see after we promised to pay them for it.
Children as young as three, who come from poor families, have taken to selling fossils to tourists. This little boy offered to sell me one for a meagre Rs 10. The future of the fossils is uncertain, unless the government of Himachal Pradesh puts stricter laws in place.
Children as young as three, who come from poor families, have taken to selling fossils to tourists. This little boy offered to sell me one for a meagre Rs 10. The future of the fossils is uncertain, unless the government of Himachal Pradesh puts stricter laws in place.

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