The Invisibles of Science and the Paleontological Heritage: the Brazilian Study Case

Paleontology, as a science of discoveries, mainly prioritizes those that describe new fossils, in general, as the work of individuals disconnected from the social and economic reality in which they are inserted. The discovery of the new transfers one into the possibility of social recognition and therefore into the record of the individual’s proper memory. However, the paleontological research has a complexity that transcends the intellectual work restricted to the office or laboratory, involving chance, manual work, the capacity for critical discernment, and the actions of several individuals who work in the regions where fossils are found. In this way, the concept of the Invisibles of Science emerges: they are indigenous, enslaved, riverside populations, workers operating in mines and quarries, the population of the villages where fossils are found, field or laboratory assistants who have volunteered or contractually contributed to the assistance of scientists. For paleontological studies, this kind of collaboration is fundamental to the discovery of new fossils, the optimization of field and lab work and the advancement of knowledge of the science of fossils, contributing to the geoheritage preservation. This study carries out a critical reflection on the importance of the Invisibles of Paleontology, analyzing the relationship between the enrichment of science collections, the preservation of heritage and the need for a new relationship with those who support scientific development in Brazil. The aim is to contribute to a historical understanding of the relevance of local populations in the protection of the Brazilian paleontological heritage and a need to revise the legislation, avoiding the criminalization of scientific activity.