The Crato Fossil Beds of Brazil: Window into an Ancient World

Description

The Crato fossils are facinating. Whenever I see that a book is a collection of articles by various authors I pause. This volume is an exception, all of the 33 authors have produced high quality sections that flow easily into the other chapters. There are many excellent photos including a whole section of color plates. There is a lot of new information here and it is accessable to most readers. some of the individual descriptions are techinical, but this is to be expected.
Thank heaven that fossil collectors and dealers saved these fossils and got them to people that cared for them. I see that these fossils are often crushed and turned into cement. I think that Brazil should try harder to save the fossils. I see also that the Brazil government makes it illegal for the miners to sell fossils. Perhaps Brazil should have a scientist examine the fossils, put unique ones into a Brazil museum and allow the others to be sold to other museums, schools and collectors. This would be benificial to all parties and create more income for Brazil.
The fossils are found by the thousands and most are not rare. Books like this one should be done on other interesting fossil sites!