No, there weren't so you are right. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense. But then again, not all evil people are geniuses. Maybe it wasn't so much for the fossils themselves as it was to send a message.

[He does his best vocal impression of a Saturday morning cartoon villain. If he didn't need to keep his hands on the handlebars and his eyes on the road, there would totally be silly faces and gestures to accompany this.] 'Fear me, I am evil! Just look at these priceless fossils I stole! I am so badass it hurts. Tremble, puny humans!!!'

No but yeah, it's super dumb.