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Regardless of whether fieldwork is conducted domestically or Conflict Zones. Conflict zones are not formally defined by the
internationally, the necessary permits and permissions are essential United Nations or by other international organizations but are
to collect geological samples and fossils on public or private lands. rather described by general criteria that can include the presence
If proper permits and/or permissions are not obtained for any reason of an international or domestic armed conflict; the transition from
(e.g., absence of permitting office due to unstable government, an armed conflict to peace; widespread or serious human rights
or requests denied), fieldwork and collection should not occur. violations and abuses; political and social instability or repression;
Collection from field localities includes mindful and respectful or institutional weakness or collapse of state infrastructure.
retrieval of samples that preserves the outcrop for further study and Fieldwork and collection in conflict zones may increase the risks
does not disturb cultural artifacts or human remains. It is critical to of scientists being complicit in human rights abuses committed by
have full documentation of provenance in terms of stratigraphic, other actors and might further encourage exploitation of these
structural, geographic, taphonomic, and paleoenvironmental infor- resources (refer to Illegal Trade–Direct and Indirect). GSA does
mation where appropriate. If cultural artifacts or human remains are not condone fieldwork in active conflict zones.
disturbed, geologists should be fully aware of all laws and expecta-
tions for restoration or repatriation. Collaborative Endeavors. GSA recommends members include
international collaborations or involve the appropriate Indigenous
Human Remains and Cultural Artifacts. Human remains groups (including those groups without federal recognition) and
must always be treated with dignity and respect. Cultural artifacts, cultural stewards who are living and working in the research study
particularly those belonging to Indigenous groups and artifacts region. These collaborations can foster a shared learning experi-
found in or near burial sites, should also be treated with respect, ence, promote cultural awareness, and build capacity in the local
because these objects hold high cultural and spiritual importance. community, if appropriate. Collaborations not only make our field
GSA members should understand the laws and ethical codes more inclusive by building, strengthening, and maintaining a com-
that govern archeological, biological, and human or cultural fields munity of diverse views and experiences, but will also help to
of study outside of the typical scope of the GSA. Human remains increase awareness of issues surrounding sample and fossil collect-
and cultural artifacts are protected under international, U.S. fed- ing laws, norms, and potentially underreported conflicts in a region.
eral, and tribal law. Indigenous groups have jurisdiction because GSA members conducting fieldwork and collection abroad are
they are lineal descendants of the deceased individual(s) or the ambassadors for the GSA community and our field of science.
groups who produced the artifact(s). If GSA members encounter Our international fieldwork and research can serve as examples
human remains or cultural artifacts on federal or tribal lands, of good scientific diplomacy, highlighting the potential for science
regardless of the purpose of the fieldwork, they are required to to build relationships across disciplines and geopolitical borders.
leave these objects where they are and report their existence to the As part of the privilege of working within an international com-
appropriate lineal descendants (e.g., Native American governing munity of researchers, it is our responsibility to behave legally,
organizations, local cultural stewards and practitioners, etc.) and ethically, and respectfully.
to follow the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation
Act (NAGPRA). OPPORTUNITIES FOR GSA AND GSA MEMBERS
TO HELP IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Illegal Trade. Illegal trade is defined herein as barter, sale, and/ All GSA members can adopt and adhere to GSA’s Ethics of
or acquisition of fossils and other geological samples in a fashion Responsible Geologic Fieldwork. Academic universities and col-
that is against the laws of the country or region from which those leges and research institutions can similarly adopt GSA’s field-
samples and fossils were collected. GSA members shall not con- work ethics or draft their own document outlining how members
tribute, directly or indirectly, to the illegal trade of geological of their community shall behave and operate in the field.
samples and fossils. Direct contributions to illegal trade would
include the sale or purchase of geological samples or fossils when REFERENCE
the provenance or mode of acquisition is known to be nefarious. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2018, Sexual Ha-
Knowingly buying and selling geological samples and fossils that rassment of Women: Climate, Culture, and Consequences in Academic Sci-
were obtained illegally is the worst of these offenses. Indirectly ences, Engineering, and Medicine: Washington, D.C., The National Acade-
mies Press, https://doi.org/10.17226/24994.
promoting illegal trade can include conducting research on geo-
logical samples or fossils that were collected through illegal
means. In this case, the researcher may be unaware a given sample The Geological Society of America, founded in 1888, is a scientific society
or fossils were acquired illegally. Researchers can avoid cases like with members from academia, government, and industry in more than 100 coun-
this by knowing the full provenance of a geological sample or tries. Through its meetings, publications, and programs, GSA enhances the pro-
fessional growth of its members and promotes the geosciences in the service of
fossil before conducting research. Research on geological samples humankind. Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, USA, GSA encourages coop-
or fossils illegally collected and traded must be avoided, because erative research among earth, life, planetary, and social scientists, fosters public
adding research value to those specimens ultimately will increase dialogue on geoscience issues, and supports all levels of earth science education.
their monetary value and encourage future illegal trade of similar
specimens. Beyond jeopardizing the paleontological and geologi-
cal resources of a given country, the illegal trade of geological
samples and fossils can drive unsafe work conditions and, in some
examples, even slave labor.

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