Fossil Collecting

Fossils allow us to step back in time to study the world and its inhabitants. You can start with the basic tools and add to them as your hobby grows.

Fossils can be shells, bones, teeth, footprints, leaves, seeds, tree parts, or any remains of long-ago plants and animals.

Follow the Fossil Collector's Code when collecting your treasures - get permission, use the right equipment, do it safely and leave some for others.

Contrary to the antics of Fred Flintstone and company, no human ever employed a wooly mammoth as an automatic dishwasher or enjoyed a Brontosaurus Burger during a backyward barbeque. In fact, the...

The term 'ashes to ashes, dust to dust' aptly describes the way most living creatures submit their physical forms to nature's recycling program. However, under the right conditions, plants and...

When most people think of fossils, bones come to mind. Yet, fossils occur in many other forms, such as teeth, horns, eggs--even casts of manure. Paleontologists use a variety of methods to...

Collecting fossils to sell appeals to amateur and professional paleontologists alike. In fact, many trade shows where collectors can purchase or sell fossils are visited by members of the...

In the natural world, fossils that aren't actually fossils are known as concretions. These occur naturally when mineral deposits, such as siderite or limestone, infiltrate rock formations. Many...

There are many variables that can determine the price of a fossil. However, it's also important to remember that no two fossils are exactly alike. This makes knowing how to price a fossil even...

If fossils could talk, they could tell us exactly where they came from and how and when they ended up becoming fossilized. Unfortunately, this isn't the case. However, fossils do leave certain...

You've worked long and hard to locate, identify and catalog your fossil collection. It would be a pity not to be able to share your finds with others. However, if you keep your fossils in a cigar...

Trilobites are fossil arthropods, relatives of spiders and horseshoe crabs. They are some of the most attractive and highly sought after fossils. There are many kinds of trilobite fossils, and...

Brachiopods and bivalves are common invertebrate fossils. They are often confused for one another because they both have a pair of shells connected by a hinge. However, you can follow these simple...

Fossils are some of the most useful things in the geologic record for telling the ages of rocks. However, the rocks can also help to tell the ages of the fossils. But, to tell how these relate to...

There's something exciting and romantic about a fossil dig site; maybe it's the chance of discovering something unknown. However, a real dig site involves a lot of hard work and careful planning....

Almost everyone is interested in fossils. The trick is, however, how to find fossils. If you don't know where to look, it is easy to come home empty handed. However, if you have a plan and know...

Making a cast of a fossil is a good way to share your fossil with other people. Often, museums will make casts of their fossils to give to other museums or to individuals who donated fossils they...

Whether you want to stroll the beach or head offshore in search of prehistoric monster-sized teeth, there is a reason why Venice, Florida considers itself the Shark Tooth Capital of the world.

Spearheads make for cool weapons and can be used as décor in a Native American-themed room. One of the best materials for making an arrow tip is slate, which can be found in rock or tile form. It...

Petrified palmwood was named the state stone of Texas in 1969. It is found primarily in east Texas near the Gulf Coast. Petrified palmwood is a fossil that was formed millions of years ago when...