Out in the field, paleontologists save fossils. Even the most resilient fossils face destruction by erosion and time, and researchers balance speed and care in trying to excavate the history of life on Earth before it crumbles away into petrified shards. But paleontologists have become increasingly concerned with saving fossils from another sort of loss. Already-excavated fossils can land beyond the reach of scientists through public auctions, commercial sales, and black market deals, preventing those ancient remains from spilling their secrets. Thankfully, though, this week paleontologists got news that two different sets of fossils have been saved for science.

Last November Bonham’s was getting ready to auction off