Fossil Hunting
To start fossil hunting, you should get answers to FIVE basic questions: WHERE to look for fossils, WHAT are fossils, HOW to identify fossils, WHAT equipment you need, and HOW to document the specimens and localities.
Laws and Regulations
Surface Geology and Stratigraphy
Basic Equipment and Safety Gear
Fossil Collecting Code of Ethics
Fossil Data Management
How to start
Fossil Collection or Fossil Hunting
Laws and Regulations
The popularity of rock and fossil collecting has been on the rise in recent years. This activity is not only fun, but it can also be educational. Many people of all ages enjoy finding their own fossils and minerals, however, many amateur fossil hunters are unaware of the laws that govern this hobby, such as what you’re allowed to collect and where.
Here is what you need to know about collecting rocks and fossils!
First, always check land owner and the regulations of the site you’re collecting on. There may be specific rules about what kinds of rocks and fossils are allowed to be collected, as well as restrictions on where they can be taken from. In the United States, you cannot collect rocks or fossils from National Parks, National Monuments, Tribal Lands, etc.
The best way to find out if it is legal in your area, and what regulations there may be, is to check with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in your state or park ranger before you go out to make sure that what you want to collect is legal. If fossil collecting is not legal in your area there are still plenty of cool rocks and minerals around – rockhounding can be a fun family activity!
Sometimes it’s difficult to figure out the land owner and the rules, but it is definitely worth your time as a fine can be astronomical.
Tip 1️⃣ DNR employees are the best people you would like to make contact with.
Tip 2️⃣ Construction sites and quarries might be good sites. Call the owners and check if rocks or fossils collection is allowed after hours. I know a few places where employees leave nice minerals for collectors to grab during weekends.
Tip 3️⃣ If entering potential fossil or mineral site, always check the greeting board. Sometimes owners put contact information and even specify the map where fossils or minerals can and can not be collected.
You should also be aware of items that are unlawful to collect in most states, such as archeological or historical artifacts, meteorites, and vertebrate fossils. In most situations, you’ll need a research permit.
Tip 4️⃣ Private lands might allow you to keep vertebrate fossils or any artifacts you find. Check private quarries who do ”fossil tours” and ask about rules.
Tip 5️⃣ If you come across a vertebrate fossil, take pictures of the object and surroundings, GPS coordinates, and send this information to your local natural history museum or university with geology or palaeontology department.
There are many opportunities to explore the world of rock and fossils, but you should always be aware of land owner regulations. I hope these tips will help you enjoy your time exploring rocks and minerals responsibly!
surface geology and stratigraphy
Fossil hunting is like a treasure hunting. What could be better than being the first person to reveal a long-extinct animal to the world?
If you decide to join an amateur fossil club, start with getting answers on three basic questions: where to dig, what to dig, and what gear to use.
Stratigraphy and surface geology answer the question “where,” and getting familiar with surface geology is the key to start looking for fossils.
The first step is to find a geologic map of your region. A simple google search with the keywords “geological map of [and the name of your state or area]” should help you find your surface geological map. The USGS website is the best resource available in the USA.
To make a geologic map, geologists use a base map which shows topography, landmarks and water; and then overlay geologic features such as basement rock, bedrock and/or surficial sediments. Each unit represents a unique and mappable rock type and age.
Look at the legend of your geologic map and find the section “sedimentary rocks”, then explore which rock units have fossil potential.
Why sedimentary rocks? Because fossils are mostly found in sedimentary deposits (bedrock units and surficial deposits) as opposed to igneous or metamorphic rock units, so we need to look for the specific types and ages of rocks. For example, if the land unit is identified as Quaternary (younger than 2.5 million years old), the chances of finding Mesozoic fossils are very close to zero, so to find, for example, a Cretaceous ammonite fossil we need to dig in sediments that are aged 145-66 million years old.
How fossils are formed? For the bones and soft tissues to be preserved as fossils, they must be buried relatively quickly. This could happen, for example, during a flood or when an animal is washed out to sea, river, or lake and then quickly covered by sand or mud.
Carcasses might also be buried by a sand storm or by a predator, but fossilization is most likely to occur in lowland sedimentary deposits as opposed to uplands which have higher rates of erosion. Lakes with abundant carbonate provide more favorable conditions for fossil preservation than rivers and streams which have higher energy. They are more likely to break skeletal remains before they are buried.
Second, different types of rocks indicate different depositional environments. For example, limestone forms in freshwater or marine environments with abundant carbonate and preserves animals such as brachiopods, clams, corals, sponges, crinoids. Shale is formed from mud or clay which is abundant in lakes.
One of the oldest and most famous fossil localities in the world is the Burgess Shale in Canada. This site is unique because of its exceptional preservation of middle Cambrian animals.
Do we always find fossils in sedimentary rocks? It is more likely! However, volcanic ash is another type of material that preserves carcasses and soft tissues. Ashfall Fossil Beds in Nebraska is a great example of this type of preservation that is of late Miocene age.
So, how do we use stratigraphy to help us find fossils?
First, by understanding the relative age of rock layers, we can eliminate rocks that are too young or too old to contain fossils. Stratigraphy shows us how rock layers are positioned and their relationship to the geological time scale. Sediments gradually accumulate upon one another in layers with younger layers on top and older layers below. It’s called the Principle of Superposition.
Second, by looking at the type of sedimentary rock and its associated fossil content, we can get an idea about what kind of environment the fossil was preserved in.
Third, by understanding how rock layers have been disturbed (faulting, folding), we can get an idea about where to look for fossils. Sedimentary rock strata were originally laid down in horizontal beds (called the Law of Original Horizontality). But rocks are not always arranged horizontally. Volcanic rocks often cut through the layers and uplift, faulting, and folding distort and change the orientation of rock layers.
If you are interested in learning more about stratigraphy and how to use it for fossil hunting, I would recommend taking a course at your local community college or university. There are also online courses.
basic and safety gear
When fossil hunting, make sure to use the appropriate gear and safety equipment.
- Safety Goggles
Rock chips could fly with the speed of a bullet. Eye protection is super important.
Tip 1️⃣ When working with a geological hammer, keep your face away from the scene so that rocks don’t fly at high speeds towards it!
Tip 2️⃣ There’s plenty of options when picking out goggles; make sure they’re certified for impact resistance. You may also like anti-fog/anti-scratch/side covers/space for sunglasses features.
Tip 3️⃣ I found wearing glasses with an elastic band pretty uncomfortable and switched to the ones with temples.
- Hammers
I’m a fan of Estwing geological hammers but choosing the right hammer for you depends on the rock, your weight, personal preferences, and so on. I mostly use a 22 oz geological hammer with a pointed tip and shock reduction grip.
Another favorite is a 3-pound sledge hammer.
Tip 4️⃣ If I work with a hammer for an extended time, I wear a wrist compression strap or wrist brace.⠀
Tip 5️⃣ A rock hammer also comes in handy climbing down a steep hill or as protective equipment.
- Chisels
Chisels or chisel sets are great for splitting rocks.
Tip 6️⃣ I highly recommend starting with the one with hand protection.
- Disposable gloves and Ziploc bags
Personally, I’m avoiding non-disposable gloves when the ground is very muddy and I have limited access to clean water. I know that many folks like non-disposable work gloves but I got really tired of constantly cleaning them.
Tip 7️⃣ I found Ziplocs a better alternative to plastic boxes. You don’t need to clean it after each fossil hunt and it saves space in your backpack.
Tip 8️⃣ I have one Ziploc bag filled with tissue paper and kitchen towels for delicate finds.
- Rainboots and good hiking or rock-climbing boots
If you are exploring streams or rivers, rainboots are a must-have.
Tip 9️⃣ After a few rocks fell on my feet, I use thick socks. Some fossil hunters wear steel-toed boots.
- Sieve, bucket, and shovel
My favorite is a tactical multitasking shovel with a starter and compass.
Tip 🔟 Consider a sieve that sits on top of your bucket.
For fossil hunting, I like the backcountry and always carry safety equipment. Be sure that your safety equipment includes water and food as well! It’s always best if beginning hunters start at known sites before exploring off trail
For backcountry fossil hunting, I bring the following items: knives, pepper spray, bear spray, whistle, first-aid kit, emergency poncho (also may be used as a rain poncho), compass, water, snack bars.
Tip 1️⃣ Always tell your friends and family where you are going and make sure to leave them instructions to follow in case you have a problem.
Tip 2️⃣ Know your local wildlife and how to behave if you encounter it, and! how to avoid this encounter!
Tip 3️⃣ Talk to your local Rangers. They know when animals are active, and can give you the best advice on how to avoid them.
Tip 4️⃣ If you carry a spray or knife or any safety gear, don’t zip it in your backpack—it should be easily and quickly accessible within a second, and practice with it at least once before you go. I like scuba diving knives that come with leg holsters.
Tip 5️⃣ Always wear a hard hat if you’re working at the base of a cliff or steep slope, or better yet, don’t work at the base of a cliff at all!
And the most important: it’s our responsibility to keep wildlife safe from us.
Here is the fossil collecting code of ethic based on “The Constitution of The Paleontological Society (Article I)” and “AAPS Commercial Paleontology Code of Ethics”.
1️⃣ Paleontological resources, or fossils, are important for scientific, scholarly, and educational use by both professionals and amateurs.
2️⃣ Numbers of fossil specimens vary widely by type and locality. Fossils are non-renewable resources. Thus, once destroyed they can never be replaced. Therefore, preserving and conserving fossils with scientific importance so they and their contextual data are available for educational and research purposes is critical.
3️⃣ Leaving fossils uncollected ensures their degradation and ultimate loss to the science and education because once fossils are eroded onto the ground surface, they are quickly destroyed by natural processes including weathering, fluvial transport, etc.
4️⃣ Proper documentation of fossil localities is critical for scientific and educational purposes.
5️⃣ Permits and permission should be obtained from private landowners or government agencies as applicable before any fossils are collected.
6️⃣ All fossils will be collected in compliance with applicable land management policies and procedures and scientific standards.
7️⃣ Make sure that no damage is done to the land including any natural or cultural resources as a result of the collecting activities.
8️⃣ Fossil collectors will report any significant discoveries of scientific or public interest to scientific experts, and strive to place specimens of unique scientific interest into responsible hands for study, research and preservation.
Fossil Data Management
Fossils data management and recording is the process of documenting a fossil specimen’s data. It includes how it was found, where it was found, when it was found, and who found it to name a few things. Proper documentation is important because you want to be able to accurately pinpoint where your fossils came from.
The main goal is to keep a record of the locations you discover or visit, as well as the fossils you find there. It’s simple to forget which fossils came from which localities after a few days of fieldwork. Also, when donating a fossil to an institution, it’s important that you include information about its location so scientists may study your find scientifically.
When documenting a fossil, you’ll need to include the following information:
1️⃣ Fossil description and taxonomy. For example, “Aturia angustata (nautiloid)” or “nautiloid” if the genus and species cannot be identified.
2️⃣ Locality info (latitude/longitude). The most essential data are geographic coordinates since they may be used to determine the formation and age as well as the land owner.
3️⃣ Date of find.
4️⃣ Geologic formation and age of the specimen.
5️⃣ The collector’s name(s) and institutional.
6️⃣ Stratigraphy and lithology. The position of the strata might be significant. For instance, “1 meter above the white ash layer” or “in a limestone bed”.
7️⃣ Site access notes, road conditions, who was at the site with you.
