Fossils Returned to Argentina

Four tons of dinosaur bones and other fossils were returned to Argentina after being recovered in the US by Interpol agents who had been tipped-off.

Two years ago, agents were tipped-off about someone selling relics at an Arizona mineral fair. Upon investigation, the agents discovered many of the fossils were still wrapped in Argentinian newspaper. While they seized the relics, transporting them proved industrious, which is what took until now for the cargo to be returned.

Argentina is rich with dinosaur bones, with new discoveries made regularly - some from previously unknown species. It is known that many fossils, rocks, and minerals from the country exist to be sold on the lucrative black market worldwide, "and we'll keep looking for [them]," said US ambassador, Earl Anthony Wayne, from Buenos Aires, where the fossils were delivered to a formal ceremony, attended by top Argentinian military officials, diplomats, and Wayne - himself an ardent mineral and fossil enthusiast.

The exchange is thought to be the largest of its kind in history.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008