Fossil Collecting

For hundreds of years before Europeans came to America, there were indigenous people who lived their way of life and had great societies. These societies are all but gone, but they have left...

There are some excellent and very informative field guides to fossils from organizations like Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History and the Audubon Society. Field guides are compact and rich...

When most people think of fossils, they automatically think of dinosaurs. However, a fossil is the preserved remains or imprint of any animal or plant from the past which is found in the ground...

Arrowheads are archaeological artifacts that can be found throughout North America. These prehistoric hunting tools have been found on farms, construction sites and other areas where the older...

Identifying fossilized and recent shark teeth can be an interesting hobby, but can be a difficult process. Even new shark teeth can undergo changes based on their location in the jaw, if they are...

Knowing where to find fossils is part of the work of paleontologists. These scientists study fossils through knowledge of geology and biology. Amateurs also hunt for fossils as a hobby, collecting...

Arrowheads are sharpened stones that were made into points for tools and spears by civilizations during the Paleo-Indian period, dating from around 11000 BC to 3,000 later. The Native American...

While arrowheads are said to be the most recognizable archaeological find, there is still much we don't know about these historic tools. As a subset of projectile points, arrowheads are actually...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.