Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences
Supporting Paleontology through ethical Commerce, Education and Cooperation
About AAPS
AAPS, The Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences unites professional fossil dealers, collectors, enthusiasts, and academic paleontologists for the purpose of promoting ethical collecting practices.
GRANTS & AWARDS
The Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences maintains and administers several privately funded grants that are available to researchers and educators worldwide. Learn how to apply.
RESOURCES
AAPS provides important legal and professional resources for its members, including fossil ivory ban info, fossil theft alerts, and the annual Tucson Gem Show Guide.
Fossil Theft Alerts
- Canadian Ammonite SpecimensReported by Dr. Frederic Lacombat I am writing to inform you about the theft of two Canadian Ammonite specimens that occurred last year in Tucson. These specimens were securely stored in the property of the Granada Gallery. Unfortunately, it was… Canadian Ammonite Specimens
- Multiple Specimens
Reported by Tyree Lamph, owner “Utah Dump Digger” $2,500 reward for any information that helps with the return or prosecution regarding a theft of rocks, fossils, and minerals on Christmas’s Day in the Sandario Road area in Tucson. These items… Multiple Specimens
Press Releases
- The Sale of Tyrannosaurs “Stan”
Every time we see headlines about a dinosaur being sold at auction for millions of dollars, we see articles written about the damage done to science (1, 2, 3). The latest articles are on the sale of a T-Rex named… The Sale of Tyrannosaurs “Stan” - The Sale of Stegosaurus “Apex”
On Wednesday July 17th 2024, a Stegosaurus specimen dubbed “Apex” sold for $44.6 million at Sotheby’s, surpassing its auction estimate of $4-$6 million, and setting a new all-time record for the amount paid for any fossil. In 1997, the sale… The Sale of Stegosaurus “Apex”
Fossil Dealers Guide
The Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences has published an annual guide since 2006, listing and promoting business members of the association. Many of the AAPS dealers sell at one or more of the over 50 show locations in Tucson during what has become the world’s largest mineral and fossil show starting the last week of January and running for 2 weeks each year.
The AAPS “Tucson Show Guide: Fossil Dealers and Events” has become the industry’s standard, listing show locations where professional fossil dealers are set up, along with contact information for all of our professional members that chose to be listed in the annual guide.