Things You'll Need:
- Shovel
- Trowel
- Soft brush
- Rock pick
- Rock hammer
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Step 1
Use the shovel to dig in an area where fossils have been found previously. The fossil will be embedded in the rock and soil that has protected it for thousands of years. Recognize that digging around an existing fossil might damage other fossilized artifacts nearby.
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Step 2
Switch from the larger shovel to a small hand-held trowel. Trowels allow the archaeologist to control the movement of the shovel to prevent damage to the fossil. Gently clear dirt and loose rock from around the fossil. Avoid banging the trowel into the fossil to prevent damage.
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Step 3
Brush off the exposed fossil as much as possibly to determine how embedded the artifact is in the surrounding rock. Get as clear a picture as possible to plan excavation carefully.
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Step 4
Gently chip away with a small rock pick and hammer around the circumference of the fossil. You're creating an indented channel around the fossil to try to pop the fossil out of the ground without damaging it. Use the brush to gently remove debris from the fossil so you can clearly see your work area.
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Step 5
Slip the rock pick to the lower edges of the channel and tap gently to break the rock beneath the fossil. Don't rush this part of the process since it's quite possible to break the fossil at this point. Work around the entire base of the fossil, brushing away debris for a clear view of the fossil. Tap until the fossil pops free.
