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Hello, my name is Lance. I stumbled across this forum today because earlier, I found a shell fossil and I just had to know what it was. Haven't gotten my answer just yet, considering my post is fairly new, but I can't wait to find out what it is (I think it might be a mold fossil of something)
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American paleontology hobbyist here, seeking wisdom from those of you outside the USA regarding amateur paleontology culture elsewhere. Call me crazy. I'm seeking your stories to use in a planned talk in a session advocating for amateur/hobbyist contributions to paleontology, at the North American Paleontological Convention in June. Which stories? Well, the ones that offer better ways that amateur/hobbyist paleontology can interface with professionals, academics, corporations, and governments. I want to hear about the ways in which differences in cultural or historical or legal framework in different countries have led to different/better relationships with amateur/hobbyist paleontology than we have in the USA. For example: How do municipalities, corporations, and universities regard their role in actively or passively facilitating access/opportunity/education for amateurs/hobbyists? How do states and universities regard hobbyist societies as knowledgeable partners in which to invest trust when it comes to approving outcrop access, amateur grants, etc.? What is the funding mechanism for efforts to keep fossil exposures fresh at designated fossil parks? Is there an amateur paleontology stewardship certification offered by the state, by the municipality, by the national society, by the local museum or university, or by individual quarries that lends meaningful weight when it comes to approving outcrop access, amateur grants, etc.? If you have some interesting answers—especially anecdotal answers—to these and related questions, I'd love to catch up with you for 20 minutes to discuss. Your responses are what will open up possibilities for fossil collectors here in the USA and elsewhere. Let's talk. To start the conversation, send me a DM. Or if you prefer to just leave your thoughts below, that's fine too. Thanks. -
The Rio Puerco Valley was my introduction to fossils. For many years now, I have scoured its Late Cretaceous shales and sandstones in search of ammonites. Somewhere along the way, my fascination with the ornament grew into an investigation of its environment. Last week at the New Mexico Geologic Society's Spring meeting, I made my first venture into the world of paleontological science. With the help of Dr. Spencer Lucas of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, I presented a poster/abstract (Foley & Lucas 2017.pdf) exhibiting my ideas. I received some criticism for incorporating ammonite ornament and caught some grief for including a labeled map...otherwise, this was an amazing learning experience and I am ready to move forward. Back to the rocks!...I have a paper to write. Blue Hill Shale: Spathites puercoensis: Prionocyclys hyatti: Coilopoceras springeri:
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Scientifically "Wanted!"
Spongy Joe posted a topic in Partners in Paleontology - Member Contributions to Science
It's great to see that this board is so active, and that there's such a good, positive atmosphere here for amateur-professional interaction. So, in that spirit, it seems that there's scope for a new permanent topic. There is a wealth of extraordinary fossils in the collections here, and we've seen the rewards that a good collaboration can bring in the gallery... and there are probably also a lot of palaeontologists, around the world, who would love something specific to work on that is a bit inaccessible for them. There may also be people working on monographs of particulalr groups from particular areas. Why not give them a place to advertise their needs? There's also the issue of collectors/amateurs who have found something they feel ought to be described, but can't find anyone who wants to do it. A parallel thread showcasing available new fossils might also be a really good avenue to go down. At the moment, the site probably isn't on the radar of most palaeontological researchers (including some of the amateur ones), but there are places like the Palaeonet listserver where this board could be brought to their attention. It could really start building some hefty bridges, if the idea takes off. I've certainly got a 'want' or two that I could throw in to begin with! Is this a route the forum would like to go down, at least to try it? I'm happy to announce it on Palaeonet, if so!- 27 replies
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Hello! My fiancé and I are located in Missouri. We have never found anything like this before and think it might be amber? We did several “at home” tests on it. It passed the acetone and the high percent isopropyl alcohol test. It did not get sticky or tacky. It is very light and we believed it to be a chunk of plastic at first. This is what it looks like under UV light. I can’t tell if it’s glowing or not? Any input is appreciated! Thank you!
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Amateur Fossil Collectors are Essential to Paleontology Kerste Milik “Someone needs to get the fossils out of the ground or off the beach. There are far too many fossils out there for professional paleontologists to salvage and they are continuously being exposed,” said Boessenecker. This exposure leads to fossils being eroded and lost to science, unless amateurs continue to collect. “If we don't collect the fossils, and we're rude or dismissive or simply not proactive about our amateur otreach efforts - then donation streams have a very real danger of drying up,” he said. Link to article
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Not as clean looking as a skeleton only, but still pretty good I thought.
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Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum >> My welcome This is my "fossils collection", some may be just stones some definitely fossils. I collected these during a low tide in the rock pools on Margate sands beach (Kent, England). I picked these up with my hands, no hammering or digging. Over time they presented a white patina on them, maybe calcium? I didn't clean them as it might help to recognize them (maybe a chemical reaction? not an expert so I preferred not to alter them) This is just part 1 of my collection, I will upload more in days to come. The photos are front and back of the fossils. I'd like to know more about what they are; teeth, Belemnites and more? I'll upload here the compressed pictures, for you to identify them, if possible. I'd like to learn how to clean them but I think it requires lots of experience and expensive materials... If you need any pic brighter and crispier, just let me know and I can upload it separately, I'm a Photoshop wizard Omono 1. Tooth? Front 2. Tooth? Back 3. Big belemnite? Looks like a little shark head - FRONT 4. Big belemnite? Looks like a little shark head - BACK 5. 6. 8. 9. 10. 11. Bone? 11. 12. Tooth? n.2 13. Tooth n.2 Detail 14. Tooth n.2 BACK 15. 16. 17. 18. Big belemnite? Looks like a little shark head - DETAIL
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All of these were found on gravel bars on Elm Creek in north-eastern Kansas, as we kayak on it a lot.
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Just today I was reminded of an idea by a friend about trying to do an SVP meeting for Amateur Palaeontologist. Amateur Palaeontologist could join and share their research while getting suggestions by others as well as getting to know other people in the Paleo community. I’m wondering what everyone would think of something like this and if they would join if it is to happen.
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Hello friends! I am experimenting this period with my new Haufwerk W224 air scribe. It is recommended as ideal for beginners and rated for medium to fine preparation. My first lab rat turned out above my expectation. First attempt was done without press. regulator and without filter, since I did not know I needed these. Lab rate Prior preparation and After. Soft limestone for your reference. After having finished the above and onwards I work with pressure regulator (never above 5bar~70psi) and water separating filter to ensure I am using dry air. The next one turned out really bad. One side was already exposed 100% due to weather erosion. The other side was fully covered except the edge. The beginning seemed promising. The first material was removed around 2 o'clock and started chipping away easily. After that I lost my path completely. I couldn't define what is material to remove and what is ammonite. The stone is quite hard limestone from the Jurassic of Bulgaria, Ammonitico Rosso. I believe that with air abrasion with hard material the result would be totally different, but I do not have yet this set up.
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I found this in my back yard, it appears to have three tiny fossils (approximately 1cm in size each), getting pictures is hard! I am a very amateur collector, so I really don't know much. I live in Roxbury, Morris County, New Jersey, USA.
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Hey Fossil gang, I went out into the hillside forest next to my dorm and found some shells scattered about. It's very possible they're simply snail shells - I'm very novice. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you.
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Hi all, I haven't been on the forum recently, which is a terrible shame, but I will make much more of an effort to be online in the future! I am currently sketching out a small project that, in part, addresses why people collect fossils. At this point I am mostly interested in very brief, oral-history style vignettes on what kinds of fossils you collect, your self-assessment of you collect them, and your knowledge of and experience with fake fossils. If anyone is interested I would love to hear from you!
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Hi all, I'm an extreme amateur looking to try my hand at fossil hunting. I live in the triangle region of North Carolina and I've been trying to do some research about what I can expect to find. I live in an undeveloped area and have lots of woods and several creeks around that I was planning to explore. Does anyone have any suggestions about what I should look for or what there is to find in this area? Also, if there are specific things I should look for, what's the best method to find them?
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I'm not sure if this is a fossil, but i have been looking at this rock for a few years wondering if it may be a fossil or part of one. I have taken a few pictures to help anyone with potential ID. It is clearly quite porous, which makes me think it is either a fossil or an old bone that has been weathered, but then it almost seems like there are some rocks in it. Any ID help is appreciated.
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So my 8 year old son and I did our first ever trip to go find fossils. Attached is what we found in our very untrained 2 hour trip! Haha I literally have no experience outside of reading on this forum from time to time. We may have just picked up some rocks but they looked like fossils to us. I know most most of the teeth are probably goblin and I believe we found 2 Ptychodus. The main things I’m wondering about are the long piece slim piece next to the Ptychodus (possible whale tooth?), two vertebrae looking pieces, the egg shaped piece, and the white pieces. Not sure if they are bones of if they are just random trash we picked up thinking they were treasures. Haha All our tooth fragments Item on right? Egg shaped item Vertebrae? Vertebrae? Cant tell if this tooth is broken or just worn Cool little shell in a rock formation No clue? Looks like bones in rock but could be just river muck This looks like a little flipper but not sure
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Spinosaurus Tooth Help!!
AlaskaNick posted a topic in Is It Real? How to Recognize Fossil Fabrications
I am definitely an amateur when it comes to collecting and need some advice: I recently purchased my first 'larger' Spinosaurus tooth from a small gem/fossil shop in Seattle. The owner told me that it had no repairs or restorations, and that it of course came from Morocco. I tested the tooth under a UV flashlight and there were no anomalies, but I just wanted some more experienced opinions. The enamel looks good- no apparent cracks or suspicious color variations, root still has some of the matrix on it, but the tip seems a little suspicious to me... maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I have read so much about fake fossils and just want to be sure! Let me know what you guys think- Thanks!
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I preped this cute partial trilobite last month. This bug was from by secret Santa in Canada . . . I worked with engraving pen! Not a perfect tool for prep but also not bad for starter.(Sadly, I don't have enough money for air scribe and compresor.) . . . After prep. REALLY amateur job... white spots are my mistakes.... I hope I can do better next time. I believe the more practice, the better.... Thanks!
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Hello to all,and thank you for accepting my humble request to join such a great forum. Welp,everyone that knows me calls me Lynn. I live in beautiful Weeki Wachee FL tho I was transplanted here from N.C. As a child I use to collect the granite chips off the railroad close to my grandma's house. Nothing special,just pretty rocks. Grandma would be doing laundry and saying 'rocks,rocks and more rocks!' as she'd empty my pockets before the wash,lol. So,I've always had an affection to stones and the natural world around me. I enjoy taking nature photos and rock hunting when I find the time,which isn't easy being a full time private duty caregiver (12 hours a day 6 days a week). I'm no newbie to finding the unusual, I kinda have a natural eye when it comes to hunting(and some serious luck) but I am VERY new to actually naming what I've found. To be honest,I never really cared what it was called only that I liked it and it stroked a piece of my old soul with its beauty and mystery. But now I have a 12 yr old son who,yes you guessed it,has pockets full of rocks,rocks and more rocks. But he wants to know 'Well mom,what IS/WAS it?' And I want to be able to answer his questions and curiosity. Which is what lead me here to this site. I know the 'plain rocks',the crystals,the gems but I am not scientific enough to name the fossils,which is what he loves the most. Soooo,in advance I'd like to thank you all for letting me into your community and dealing with my layman terms and questions. Also please excuse the fact I might not be a 'substantial' member outside of sharing pictures my finds. And,I am not here to sale. My collection is a private one which I hope one day to pass to my youngest son (the eldest wants the comic book collection,lol). One last thank you to all that answer my questions and reply to my posts your time and knowledge is gratefully appreciate.
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My shots of the total blood moon eclipse. Taken from my front yard in Weeki Wachee FL. With my Nikon L820 on a rickety tripod. I caught Luna fever that night... (Small sample of over 200 shots)
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Ok, so, I bought 2 tons of rock from a local supplier. I live in Florida but the rock is from Alabama and it literally has Carboniferous plant fossils falling out of it,it's like every third rock has well defined fossil formations. Now my questions are... Do I need a FL state fossil license to keep them? And... Am I supposed to report them to the state of FL or anyone for that matter? I know I need to have the license to dig or hunt in Florida. But this rock was bought and paid for ($309 for 4300 lbs) and it did not originate from the state of Florida. Any advice is welcome and thank you in advance for even reading my post.
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Hi everyone, I’m Michael I’m 35 and have collected fossils all my life. I mainly purchase from shops and online but have recently started joining the UKAFH on a few hunts. Loving going out and finding bits for myself and after a quick google search found this forum and thought I would join up to take advantage of everyone’s experiences and expertise. Maybe one day I will also be able to help someone on here too.
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