The Hidden Faces of Paleontology: Some Case Studies in Central Mexico

Mexico has a diverse fossil record which ranges from the Paleozoic to the Pleistocene, depicting both marine and continental environments. Some of these paleontological sites are exploited by ordinary people to obtain rocks for the construction industry. These non-professionals whom we refer as “the hidden faces for paleontological studies” have enabled the preservation, conservation, and study of many fossils. The effort and compromise that these people show when collecting fossils is widely unknown; their names and faces are barely exposed in publications or reports. This work pretends to tribute their enormous commitment to conserve the paleontological heritage of Mexico, by showing some examples of their contributions, and the way we partially acknowledge their invaluable help. Likewise, the importance of private fossil collections and the creation of local museums is commented.