Above: Roy and Louis hammer a boulder in search of fossils at Seatown. Fossil hunting can vary from a tranquil stroll on a beach in shorts and t-shirt during the summer, to extreme physical challenges in the depths of winter. Preparation in advance will help ensure your visit is productive and safe. The hammer should be as heavy as can be easily managed without causing strain to the user, for individuals with less strength and children a head weight of g or less is recommended.
A chisel is required in conjunction with a hammer for removing fossils from the rock — a large chisel for completing the bulk of the work and a smaller, precise one for finer work. A chisel composed of cold steel is recommended as these are especially engineered for hard rock. Safety glasses ensure any splinters are deflected away from the eyes. Eye protection should also be worn by spectators as splinters can travel several metres from their origin.
For more information and examples of the tools and equipment recommended for fossil hunting click here. Above: Fossil hunting after stormy weather can provide the best opportunity for finding fossils. Fossil hunting can be undertaken throughout the year, although the winter and spring tend to yield a greater volume of finds along coastal stretches due to the scouring action of the wind, rain and rough seas.
During the summer, when the rate of erosion is generally lower, fossil collecting is more reliant on splitting prospective rocks or examining air-weathered surfaces. If the tide has already begun to rise upon your arrival then collecting will be confined to a limited area and time.
Most coastal locations follow a 12 hour cycle, with low-tide occurring 6 hours after high-tide and then rising to high-tide 6 hours later. Above: A hard-hat is recommended in areas where falling rocks may occur. Above: Make a note of the tide times before you leave and avoid getting cut off.
Productive fossil collecting locations typically occur in areas with high rates of erosion, mostly due to natural forces and sometimes by the actions of people. In extreme cases these hazards could result in serious injury. For more information about the hazards of fossil hunting and the precautions to take click here. Above: Robert, Denise and Lucinda alongside a giant in situ ammonite at Peacehaven. In most instances fossils can be collected without causing unnecessary damage to the area or breaking the law; however, there are locations and instances where visitors must follow specific guidelines when collecting, especially Sites of Special Scientific Interest SSSIs.
An example of this would be the giant ammonites on the foreshore at Peacehaven which fall within the SSSI protection status.
As a general rule fossils that are in situ in their original position within the bedrock, beach platform or cliff-face should not be collected.
There are possible exceptions to this rule, for example if the specimen is of scientific value and at risk of being damaged. Experienced, independent advice can be sought from Discovering Fossils, we also have contacts around the country who can help you. Above: An echinoid has been pedestalled to help protect it during extraction using a hammer and chisel. Once a decision to extract a fossil has been reached the next step is to carefully plan an appropriate method of extraction.
During the extraction the fossil is at its most vulnerable; the surrounding rock matrix can be unpredictable and crack or shatter when least expected. A well planned extraction reduces the risk of damage and takes into consideration the desired end result, i. A fast-setting superglue is a controversial technique but useful in these situations, providing essential stability before hammering.
Note that overuse or misguided application can create irreversible damage to the specimen children should be supervised at all times. As a general rule use as little glue as necessary and apply it as far from the specimen as possible — a drip of liquid superglue will follow the crack unaided.
Avoid allowing the glue to make contact with the surface of the fossil as it can be difficult to remove. Once the fossil and matrix are stable the extraction can take place. The example above shows a fragile echinoid shell exposed on an air-weathered chalk surface. Before removing the specimen a pedestal was created around the fossil, this was achieved using a hammer and sharp chisel to remove the matrix to within 3cm of the specimen and to a similar depth. The base of the pedestal provides a safe horizon below the specimen to undercut it, a few gentle taps releases the pedestal with the fossil undamaged on top.
For fossils contained within softer rocks and clays a steel point can be used instead of a hammer and chisel. The example above shows a fragile gastropod shell being carefully extracted from in situ. For more information please refer to our Conserving Prehistoric Evidence guide. Above: Foam wrap is the best all round material for protecting larger specimens in transit.
Once the specimen has been extracted it needs to be carefully wrapped with foam or an equivalent such as newspaper, being careful not to crush it in the process. You can also stop by the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument to check out the displays of ancient mammals and walk through the hills where paleontologists found the remains of their real-life counterparts.
Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park is named for two things: a small ghost town dating back to the s and the marine reptile dating back million years ago. You can find the remains of both things at this park.
If you need a break from the slot machines, visit the Las Vegas Natural History Museum for plenty of dinosaur-related exhibits, including dinosaur models.
Fossils form well in sedimentary rock, but granite is an igneous rock. Wade through the wetlands to find fossilized shark teeth at Big Brook Park near Marlboro. Near a shopping center in Mantua Township, you can find a large quarry with marine fossils, including turtles and mosasaurs.
The museum also offers training courses that allow volunteers to assist with fossil preparation. The New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources has some tips and guidelines on fossil collecting that might be useful if you plan to go in search of bones on your own.
The Empire State has plenty of opportunities for fossil lovers. The institution also hosts fossil collecting trips. As is true of much of the southeast coast, you should be able to find shark teeth along the North Carolina coast. The Aurora Fossil Museum has marine fossils on display and has a kid-friendly dig pit across the street from the museum.
Many of the fossils come from a nearby phosphate mine. North Dakota is one of the best destinations in the world for fossil excavation. As a result, definitely do your homework on where you can dig. The Dickinson Museum Center is a acre museum campus located about 90 minutes directly west of Bismarck.
The Badlands Dinosaur Museum has an exhibit full of dinosaur specimens and a fossil-preparation lab with public viewing. You can volunteer to help with their fieldwork, too. You can also visit the Pioneer Trails Regional Museum in Bowman to see a Triceratops and another fossil-preparation lab. Thanks to its many lakes and moving waters, Ohio has a few places where you can sift through the dirt yourself. You can find plenty of brachiopods and other small marine fossils at Caesar Creek State Park , an hour northeast of Cincinnati, though the U.
Army Corps of Engineers has a few rules to keep in mind. Ohio has many other state parks that are ideal fossil locations. The museum also offers various educational programs that gives kids a chance to experience fieldwork. Since much of the state is made up of sedimentary rock, you should be able to find small marine fossils almost anywhere, as Oklahoma was once covered by a shallow sea.
Take in the colorful landscape at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument near central Oregon, which is home to a variety of mammal fossils. You can also stop by the visitor center to see fossil exhibits and a fossil lab. Oregon actually has a town called Fossil, and — you guessed it — you can find fossils there.
There is a public dig site behind Wheeler High School where you can find traces of prehistoric plants. You can also check out the Oregon Paleo Lands Institute , which has guided digs and information about other sites. You can find trilobites and other marine remnants from the Devonian period at the Montour Preserve Fossil Pit near Danville.
At this site, you can keep what you find. You can also visit the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh for a large dinosaur fossil display. Much like its neighbors to the north and south, South Carolina has a surplus of fossilized shark teeth. There is no shortage of fossils in the state where Sue the T.
Corals are also very common here. Pentland Hills - This is an area extremely rich in Silurian fossils, but which is also a challenging place to collect fossils from. The locations discussed in the guide are suitable for those who are used to exploring and walking. However, it is a beautiful landscape, with many different types of fossils to be collected.
In fact, the area is famous for its rich diversity of fossil species, some of which are unique. Charmouth - The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site is one of the most famous and most popular Jurassic locations in the world, yielding plenty of fossils for the thousands that come collecting every year.
And Charmouth is at the heart of it all. This geological guide features both the cliffs of Black Ven and Stonebarrow, and information on the local area of Charmouth. Caim - The scenery of the coast north of Caim is beautiful. Moreover, excellent fossil corals can be observed in situ and found as wave-rounded pebbles here.
Brachiopods are especially abundant. Yaverland - This famous location is well known for dinosaur bones, reptile and fish remains, but you need the right conditions to have any luck, with the best collecting after winter and spring high tides. Yaverland is often sadly over collected. Whitby - This is a very popular location, but is sometimes difficult to access due to tide conditions.
Whitby yields many ammonites, reptiles and shells, and is also famous for jet, which is the fossilised wood of monkey trees and used in jewellery. Or if you should just admire them and then leave them for others to enjoy.
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