Assessing the damage from the loss of natural monuments of the museum fund of Ukraine

Abstract

The article describes the results of the analysis of the distribution of the cost indicators of meteorites and fossilized remains of animals and plants of the geological past on auction sites and proposes mathematical models for calculating the estimated value of such items. The relevance of the work is determined by the need to assess the financial losses caused to the Museum Fund of Ukraine. The purpose of the article is to formulate meaningful criteria for assessing the quality and determining the level of financial losses from the loss or damage of meteorites and fossilized remains of animals and plants of the geological past by determining their estimated value using the method of mathematical modeling. The study is based on the hypothesis that based on the analysis of the cost indicators of natural monuments, in particular meteorites and fossilized remains of animals and plants of the geological past, exhibited on the open market, it is possible to determine their estimated value using the method of mathematical modeling. Two databases of initial data were created – on the cost of 105 meteorites and the cost of 103 samples of fossilized remains of animals and plants of the geological past, presented for sale on auction sites. Based on the analysis of the initial databases, mathema­tical modeling was carried out and regression equations were constructed to determine the estimated value of meteorites and fossilized remains of animals and plants of the geological past. A protocol for recording useful information about natural monuments was presented, which provides criteria for assessing the quality of natural monuments and their ranking. Examples of calculating possible financial losses from the loss of natural monuments are given, in particular, the estimated value of a complete skeleton of a mosasaur and a certified iron meteorite, which were put up for sale, was determined. The presented methodology can be used to determine financial losses in the event of loss or damage to natural monuments, in particular meteorites and fossilized remains of animals and plants of the geological past.