Services

At FCMA, we accept deposition of fossil collections ranging from micro-fossils to mega-fossils, which are significant for scientific and educational purposes. Deposited type specimens curated systematically in metal compactor unit system for long term storage and use, employing standard practices of fossil curation and non-destructive methods. Each deposit will undergo verification, validation, and identification. The depositor must contact the curator at palaeobiology@aripune.org to deposit type specimens of their fossil collection. A nominal one-time depositional fee charged for depositing fossil type specimens. FCMA reserves the right to reject a deposit request, if necessary. Once the deposited specimens are accepted and accessed in FCMA catalogue, they cannot be withdrawn from the collection. The specimens deposited will become part of FCMA catalogue and are accessible for academic and scientific research.

• Contact FCMA curator at palaeobiology@aripune.org with a short description (500 words) of the specimens to be deposited, including information about the location, age, publication record, and scientific value in general.
• If accepted, the depositor must send a “Fossil Deposit Agreement,” before sending the specimens.
• Careful packaging and courier are the responsibility of the depositor and FCMA will not bear any responsibility for payment of courier charges or any breakage of specimens during transit.
• Upon receipt of the deposit fossil specimen, FCMA will do an initial examination of the specimen and issue a certificate of deposition along with the accession number within thirty working days.

• The FCMAis looked after by the Curator, Biodiversity & Palaeobiology (Palaeobiology) Group, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune.Scientists, Researchers, Bonafide Workers (referred to as ‘Workers’ from now on) intended to study the FCMA fossil collection housed in the Biodiversity and Palaeobiology (Palaeobiology) Group must write to the Curator at palaeobiology@aripune.org for the enquiries.
• The application must explain the purpose of study fossil collection of FCMA and expected outcome should be properly mentionedin the email/letter, which must be routed through the proper channel, i.e., through the Head of the concerned Institution/Organization. It is applicable to both national and foreign applicants.
• The application should reach before the intended date of study (to be mentioned in the application with an alternative slot) as per the following datelines:
  • At least 15 days in advance from the local Institution / Organization
  • At least 21 days in advance from outstation National Institution / Organization.
  • At least 90 days in advance from Institution / Organization of foreign countries/foreign nationals.
• The number of working days needed for the work should be mentioned in the application. The duration of work should typically not exceed 7 (seven) working days at a stretch unless otherwise permitted. It is to be noted that the laboratories of the Agharkar Research Institute, Pune are closed on Saturdays and Sundays besidesclosed holidays.
• An outline of the study details should be provided in the application for proper processing of the application. The information as below is necessary to speed up the processing and avoid delay in seeking complete information through correspondences:
  • Details of the intended fossils for study, e.g., MACS G nos., name, age, group, location, etc. to check their availability and conditions beforehand in their stored places.
  • Nature of study, e.g., measurements, photography, etc.
  • Purpose of the study and its expected outcome.
  • Any other relevant information.
  • It is important to note that any study which can cause damage to the fossils, including applying chemicals, is not allowed.
  • The visit by the workers is to be planned after getting the confirmation of the permission for study and allotment of time slot from the Curator, FCMA, which may, under unavoidable circumstances, differ from the asked slot.
  • Once permitted, the workers are to accept the following conditions before commencing their study:
  • The permitted fossils for the study will be issued to the workers by name daily and should be returned to the Curator, FCMA, at the end of each day. Worker must sign the relevant registers maintained at FCMA curation and referencing facility. On a given working day, no more than ten type specimens may be provided to the worker/s concerning the geo-biological importance and safety.
  • The study will be conducted under surveillance of the deputed personnel at the workplace given to workers. The samples cannot be taken out of the given place unless otherwise permitted exceptionally.
  • The time slots are allotted from 10.00 to 16.00 IST on weekdays, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and the closed holidays of the Government of India.
  • Proper care should be taken in handling the specimens to avoid any damage to the fossils.
  • Any action or process of study, which has not been allowed, or which is thought to cause damage to the fossils at any point of time may be prevented from being undertaken, even after granting the permission.
  • If the deputed personnel of FCMA anticipate that even a regular process can harm any fossil specimen. In that case, the person can disapprove of the study on the spot.
  • Any misuse, mishandling, intentional damage, or disregarding the mutually agreed conditions while studying the fossil will debar the worker from further study, attracting proper action against the offender.
  • The study is not permitted for any commercial purpose. The worker should indicate in their application that their work would not serve any commercial interest whatsoever.
  • The FCMA services for studying/referencing services are chargeable; for details, visit www.fossil.aripune.org. The attendant, if required, incurs additional costs which is to be borne by the worker.
  • Photography and measurements of the type specimens may be permitted at the arrangement of the workers. If any worker is permitted for photography and measurements, a soft copy of each photograph/image must be submitted to the Curator, FCMA either in raw or digital form.
  • Reproduction of the FCMA collection by making molds, casts, etc, is not allowed.
  • FCMA and funding support: Project code BD-03 mustbe appropriately acknowledged in all the study outcomes, for example, a research publication, dissertation or else. The result of the study, including the copies of the generated publication, must be sent to the Curator of FCMA via email.
  • The permission to study FCMA fossil collections does not include any accommodation or transportation arrangement by FCMA, ARI, Pune.

FCMA only accepts fossil specimens from a depositor working or worked as anemployee in State/Central/Government/Public/College/University/Institute/Organization. FCMA does not accept specimens from a person/private. FCMA discourage personal possession or collection of fossil specimens as they are finite and part of national geological history or Geo-Heritage of India.