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One of the hobbies I wanted to get into was amateur fossil hunting. Unfortunately I really don't know we're to start, what equipment to use or basic knowledge

by max_ 3y ago

One of the hobbies I wanted to get into was amateur fossil hunting. Unfortunately I really don't know we're to start, what equipment to use or basic knowledge on what exactly to look for. Any I would be grateful for any recommendations. I some how thought trilobites would be easy to find though.

teruakohatu 3y ago
The good news is that it is not a hard hobby to get into. Equipment recommended is geologist's hammer/rock hammer (this is a combination pick and hammer) and safety glasses. A stone/mason chisel with a hand guard is also a good investment. In places where there are a lot of fossils you don't even need that! The ground can be littered with them. Where in the world are you located? Trilobites are very rare where I live, to the point that any find would be of huge acedemic interest. Dinosaurs are so rare that locations of finds are kept secret by the government. On the other hand North Africa seems to have an abundance are ridiculously well preserved trilobites. You are welcome to email me, see my profile, I would be more than happy to help you find a location to search for fossils.
bluGill 3y ago
All you need is legal access to limestone. (other stone works as well, but limestone as basically fossils so it is easy to find fossils in it, and limestone is common) Where I live there are places where limestone always has been right on the surface not covered by topsoil, and other places where you need to dig down many meters (potentially dangerous). I know of public parks where you are allowed to dig up any fossils you can find.
ravenousgeek 3y ago
For the tools and equipment needed I have found this video very helpful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5NFdIj17ro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5NFdIj17ro Fossil Forum has fossil sites sorted by country (might have to create an account to view) http://www.thefossilforum.com/forum/88-fossil-sites/ http://www.thefossilforum.com/forum/88-fossil-sites/

by max_ 3y ago

teruakohatu 3y ago

The good news is that it is not a hard hobby to get into. Equipment recommended is geologist's hammer/rock hammer (this is a combination pick and hammer) and safety glasses. A stone/mason chisel with a hand guard is also a good investment. In places where there are a lot of fossils you don't even need that! The ground can be littered with them. Where in the world are you located? Trilobites are very rare where I live, to the point that any find would be of huge acedemic interest. Dinosaurs are so rare that locations of finds are kept secret by the government. On the other hand North Africa seems to have an abundance are ridiculously well preserved trilobites. You are welcome to email me, see my profile, I would be more than happy to help you find a location to search for fossils.

bluGill 3y ago

All you need is legal access to limestone. (other stone works as well, but limestone as basically fossils so it is easy to find fossils in it, and limestone is common) Where I live there are places where limestone always has been right on the surface not covered by topsoil, and other places where you need to dig down many meters (potentially dangerous). I know of public parks where you are allowed to dig up any fossils you can find.

ravenousgeek 3y ago

For the tools and equipment needed I have found this video very helpful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5NFdIj17ro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5NFdIj17ro Fossil Forum has fossil sites sorted by country (might have to create an account to view) http://www.thefossilforum.com/forum/88-fossil-sites/ http://www.thefossilforum.com/forum/88-fossil-sites/