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I'd like to get some opinions about the benefits of joining any of the paleo societies or groups that are around. More specifically, is there a benefit for a lay-person in joining? I understand that these offer networking opportunities for the professional, but would there be a benefit for ME as an enthusiast?
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Much to my delight and surprise, I was asked to answer a few questions for the “Meet the Scientist” blog by Time Scavengers! Had to mention TFF, as you all have been incredibly helpful in all of my paleontological endeavors. Thank you all for being the smart, kind people you are and for sharing your knowledge generously! https://timescavengers.blog/2020/02/24/mason-hintermeister-aspiring-paleontologist/
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Hi guys, I'm new here! I just wanted to ask if the burn test is always reliable. A year ago I found a tooth near a creek, it's certainly bovid but I still can't understand if it's a modern one or prehistoric/Pleistocene. I've burnt it and it doesn't smell like burnt hair, but at the same time it kinda smells weird. So does the burn test always says the truth?
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Greetings kind people, I am a complete novice in the field of fossil collecting. Kindly bear with me. My objective for collecting fossils: I want to learn paleontology work. I want to observe the fossils under a microscope, understand their body structure, their food habits.... Basically get a *whole story of the fossil* which I own, something that paleontologists do (I also want to explore all the methods that paleontologists use to study fossil and recreate them at home). So any fossil that will enable me to learn more about itself, I'd surely buy that. And also fossils which are more closer to actuality, rather than rare or good looking fossils. So any fossil that reveals more information is favoured over rare or good-looking fossils So here are my questions: 1) I'm trying to buy a spinosaur tooth. The seller is selling one spinosaur tooth which is red in colour for a higher price compared to a spinosaur tooth which looks almost like a rock. So is the red colour tooth more authentic or more valuable etc? Or is it just the same? My objective is to study those fossils under microscope. So if the red spinosaur tooth will provide more information, I'd buy that. 2) I see some dinosaur tooth still having some enamel. How is this possible? I mean shouldn't enamel be replaced by minerals too? Or is the enamel the only thing that is intact? If it is intact does it mean I'm holding a tooth which might have bit another dinosaur moments before it died and I can see the traces of that activity when I observe under the microscope? 3) I've seen polished ammonites which were split open. They carried a lot of information within, compared to unpolished ammonite. Which among those two types would reveal more information about the ammonite itself? Or which one should I go for, in general? 4)I am also planning to buy amber fossils. Some pointers and what to look for and what to keep away from would be appreciated. 5) Lastly, trilobites. How are trilobite fossils so well preserved? I've seen reedops protruding out of the rock like it's actually alive. But I read something about cast fossils and enhancements. So if I buy a reedops trilobite, does it mean it's been remade using plaster etc, or is it just as it is? Please bear in mind that I want to own fossils which closely resembles actuality Thank you so much for bearing with my silly doubts .I just want to educate myself and be an amateur paleontologist, studying fossils from home. Have a lovely day! P.s- I can upload some pictures and website links if need be. -
Should Peter Larson be pardoned by the president?
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when does archaeology become paleontology?
Gelatinous squid posted a topic in General Fossil Discussion
I just stumbled across this hillariously bizarre story https://allthatsinteresting.com/ichthyosaurus-fossil?utm_source=quora&utm_medium=referral about a guy who dug up a fossil that had been buried by his creationist ancestors, which made me wonder, was this story about archaeology or palentology? But more generally, when does archeology become paleontology? How far back do you have to go? Is it tools? Fire? Bipedalism?- 9 replies
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George Winters shared this link on Facebook "Here is Peter Larson's recent presentation at the annual SVP meeting on Commercial Paleontology and the cooperation with academic paleontology. An interesting presentation please take some time to review it. Thank you Peter!"
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Hello ! What a wonderful day ! I went today with my dog Lea to Great Morava river to try to find maybe some pleistocene fossils cause i haven't found any before and what a luck! I found a horse skull, at first i thought that it's not fossilized but i was wrong cause it is ! Now the question is : Can anyone help me to identify this specie cause it's obviously from pleistocene period. I found it in Great Morava river (Paraćin). My first ever pleistocene fossil that i've found! pics are bellow enjoy! Darko
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A couple weeks ago I met with a retired paleontologist that specializes in Pennsylvanian cephalopods. I showed him all my finds from a certain site here in NE Oklahoma and he was kind of surprised with what I had found (and wasn’t finding). There were a couple common goniatites and nautiloids, a few uncommon ones and five specimens of one type of goniatite he didn’t recognize. He checked his book and still couldn’t match a suture pattern and told me it may be an undescribed species. He noted down the pattern and said he was going to double check, but if it ends up being the case, he would potentially try and get it written up. So, my question is, for those of you who have been through this before or do it for a living, what all does describing a new species entail?
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The funding for myFOSSIL is ending at the end of September. The National Science Foundation gave several millions of dollars (EDIT: almost 2 million) to create a website that encouraged exchange of ideas and education between the amateur and professionals in the paleontology community. myFOSSIL: link I look forward to educator and researcher Bruce MacFadden’s papers that describe what was accomplished at myFOSSIL during the last few years. Can you create a worthwhile and thriving community with several million dollars? I wonder if some of the many new TFF members of recent are members of myFOSSIL. We seem to be getting lots of new members recently. Welcome! I, along with many other TFF members, are also myFOSSIL members. I would love to hear from our members about what they liked about myFOSSIL. What did they do well that might help us make TFF better? My experiences at myFOSSIL were positive. Almost every time I posted a fossil or a question in the forums I was answered by a profession paleontologist. The downside of myFOSSIL was that there was very little activity in their forums. Weeks and months could pass before new posts were made. MyFOSSIL showed us that the involvement of professional paleontologist with the amateurs is important. I encourage all the paleontologists at myFOSSIL to check out The Fossil Forum and become members.
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The traces of equisetum and unknown insect from Jurassic period presumably
Lupine posted a topic in Fossil ID
This piece of stone was found by me in the Crimea Peninsula. It contains the traces of equisetum and insect. I’ve decided that it is dated very close to Jurassic periods, because this fossil could appear during volcanic activity in the peninsula. Maybe it had been storing in the kind of resin when it had been buried under volcanic ash of Kara-dag volcanoes. What do you think about it? off topic: Sorry for my English, I try to do my best.
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Rediscovering New York: Trenton group and Pulaski Formation
Al Tahan posted a topic in Fossil Hunting Trips
Hello fossil folks Just another one of those “Rediscovering New York” posts. This Edition will include my efforts looking for the Trenton group and exploring the Pulaski formation. More Ordovician exploration in the central New York area. This past Saturday me and my good friend Matt did some trout fishing in the Rome area and another town north of Rome. I had scouted these spots for 2 reasons.....trout and trilobites! One location seemed to have Trenton group exposures and another I had already confirmed as the Pulaski formation but wanted to explore it more. Both were located on stretches of the Mohawk River and anyone can go fish/hike these waters. I learned of another Trenton group exposure with trilobites but it’s posted trespassing. Eventually Ill get the courage to do some door knocking in the area to try and find the owners. I guess I don’t know what I would say lol. I wasn’t really in the mood for that so I went to legal stretches of the Mohawk River for this adventure. The goal: 1. Find Trenton group exposures 2. Confirm trilobites from the Pulaski formation 3. Catch trout!!! More to follow....- 27 replies
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Hi. This fall I will be teaching a paleontology class for 5th and 6th graders. We will meet once a week for 55 minutes. My plan is to teach up front for about ten minutes and then for the remainder of the class to be hands on activities. I have come up with some ideas, but would love some feedback on them and any other ideas that you all might have. The first session will be an introduction to paleontology, possibly including fieldwork methods, fossil prep, ichnology and trace fossils, adaptations, cladistics, plate tectonics, etc, while the second session will be more focused on the actual organisms that we find in the fossil record and how they changed through time. The second session will build a fossil kit as the session progresses to take home at the end. Here are the topics I have come up with so far: 1. What makes a dinosaur a dinosaur, addressing the dinosaur-bird connection 2. Cladistics- using either coins or candy or both 3. Fossils and sedimentary layers, layer cake stratigraphy (not sure about using food, depends on allergies) or could use colored sand and plastic cups with animal shaped beads to be the fossils 4. Dinosaurs and speed activity, have students learn to calculate their own speed over a given distance and apply that to dinosaur foot impressions 5. Plate tectonics and fossils, have the kids reconstruct the earth 220 million years ago based on fossils found on the different puzzle pieces that the land masses have been broken up into 6. Dinosaur teeth, learning the difference between meat-eaters and plant-eaters and discuss the size of dino teeth 7. Chocolate chip cookie excavation exercise, to teach how difficult fossils can be to extract from matrix and to prepare for study 8. Activity using a pant tray covered in dirt, rocks, and some sand. Sprinkle glitter (glitter= dead animal bones) over the dirt. Then gentle rain water out of a paper cup over your pretend hillside and watch the dirt absorb the water. There is a greater chance the glitter bones will be make it into the fossil record vs. the desert. Put plastic wrap over your hillside to simulate the desert. Sprinkle on your glitter and rain over it...glitter washes away into the arroyo, bones are separated, lost, broken, etc.... --> trying to develop into a way of showing how fossils end up getting in to the fossil record more easily in a forest environment vs. a desert environment. Still only just the beginning of an idea.
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Do you guys know if there are any paleontological museums in Italy?
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Okay, say you are in a special area and in that area there are numerous fossils. The local museum and collectors have numerous specimens in their collections but you are visiting and find something awesome! You contact the local museum, let them know you had found something and let the property owner know. You allow the museum to know you are more than willing to help if they will allow you to assist them in their retrieval efforts. What is the likelihood they will contact the finder, and what is the likelihood they will allow you to help? They do need volunteers ...
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Hey everyone! I am glad to inform you all that I have been offered admission to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, commonly known as Virginia Tech! I only applied to a total of two universities, James Madison University and Virginia Tech, and I've now been accepted into both. Now it is just a matter of making my decision. There is so much to love about both universities. If I choose JMU, I will major in Geology and have the opportunity to work alongside the head of the department, Dr. Stephen A. Leslie, who conducts research surrounding conodonts. There is also a chance that I will be offered the Second Century Scholarship, a scholarship designated for students majoring in a STEM field who show a great deal of interest and dedication to their desired area. If I am granted this scholarship, I will have 75% of my in-state tuition paid for, in which case I will commit to the university beyond a doubt. Now, if I decide to attend Virginia Tech, I will study Geosciences in the College of Science, and have access to the universities outstanding Museum of Geosciences, which features incredible specimens including a complete cast skeleton of Allosaurus. I will be able to work with fantastic faculty, including Dr. Sterling Nesbitt, who has discovered and described many new species in his time as a paleontologist, including the archosaur Nundasuchus in 2007. In order to enter the field of paleontology with hopes of a strong career, one must typically receive a graduate degree, whether it be a Master's or even a PhD. This is something I must take into account when making my decision for undergraduate study. At the moment, my most likely path will be to attend JMU for 4 years and receive my Bachelor's degree, then apply to Virginia Tech for graduate school. Tech has a spectacular graduate vertebrate paleontology research group, which is something I would love to be a part of. I will not likely make my decision until I have heard back from JMU regarding the scholarship, and until I have visited Virginia Tech during their open house for admitted freshmen. I will keep you all posted on my decisions. Regardless of where I end up, I cannot wait to study geology and pursue my dream of becoming a paleontologist. Here is an excerpt from my essay for the Second Century Scholarship. Enjoy! "There is something about prehistoric life that stimulates the mind. Perhaps it is the mystery of the unknown, or the bizarre and unfamiliar appearances of the organisms themselves. Regardless of the forces which drive it, we humans seem to have an inherent interest in the life that called our planet home before us. Many of us can recall a phase in our childhoods when we became practically obsessed with dinosaurs, the mighty beasts which once ruled our planet. This innate fascination typically fades as one ages, but mine has persisted. The history of the earth, spanning from its formation some 4.6 billion years ago to present day, is a magnificent chronicle. It is a tale of merciless competition, crippling disasters, and recurrent resilience. We have managed to piece together fragments of this story, but as of yet it remains largely incomplete. It is my fierce desire to uncover the unknown that has compelled me to pursue an education and career in paleontology." ~David Hoppe
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Seeking some scientific information about Judith River dromaeosaurids
fossilsonwheels posted a topic in General Fossil Discussion
I was hoping somebody on TFF might be able to point me in the direction of any scientific papers, research or information that members here might have put together regarding dromaeosaurid theropods from the Judith River formation. This is not really about identifying any teeth, though I do have one from that formation. I am starting to do my research for the education program and am looking for scientific information. From what I can gather, there is a possible Saurornitholestes species and of course the dinosaur I have seen referred to as Julieraptor, which is a interesting story all on its own. I have also seen Dromaeosaurus listed from that formation. I would like to sort out what is known and unknown from the formation and the best way to present our "raptor" tooth to the kids. Any help links or suggestions as to where I might find more information on this would be much appreciated -
I'd like to make an announcement that a new species of stegosaure has been found in Indiana... A young grad student has uncovered what appears to be a baby stegosaure that can glow in the dark! I'm sure this find will be published in all the big name magazines and that National Geographic Channel will cover down on this scientific discovery. It's great when you can share your hobby and teach your children
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Dinosaurs, fossils and the experts who study them have all waited for an end to the shutdown. the Washington Post By Brian Switek, January 25, 2019 https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/dinosaurs-fossils-and-the-experts-who-study-them-have-all-waited-for-an-end-to-the-shutdown/2019/01/25/4dfddf80-20e4-11e9-8b59-0a28f2191131_story.html A publication of mine, which has been accepted and is in editing for publication and the planning for a conference volume, for which I have been invited to prepare a short paper all came to a grinding halt beacuse of this gridlock. That said, I am quite lucky because at least I am not a federal employee. One person, whom I know, changed jobs from a federal to state position in mid-December 0f 2018. I now have to apologize for suggesting that he was crazy to do so. Yours, Paul H.
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Hello all, Yesterday I heard back from James Madison University after applying Early Action back in November. I am delighted to let you all know that I was admitted into the university! I haven't quite made up my mind yet, as I am still waiting to hear back from Virginia Tech, but I will most likely be attending JMU this coming fall semester. I am so excited to carry my journey on the road of paleontology into college with me. I plan on studying geology, likely with a minor in biology. JMU apparently gives their undergraduate students countless internship and research opportunities that many schools reserve for their grad students only. I think I will thoroughly enjoy my time at the college; I've visited several times now and I could go on forever about all the things I love about the place. My mom graduated from JMU and absolutely loved it, and still does today! She was ecstatic when we opened the acceptance letter. My plan at the moment is to attend JMU for four years, and then apply to Virginia Tech for graduate school and work towards a Master's degree and possibly even a PhD. They have an extraordinary vertebrate paleontology research team led by Dr. Sterling Nesbitt, who has discovered and described several prehistoric species including Nundasuchus! I would be honored to work with him and the rest of the team. Through fossil collecting, my fascination with prehistoric life has only grown, and I can't wait to start studying to fulfill my dream of becoming a paleontologist. Ideally, I'd like to do some field work but also would love learning how to prepare and analyze fossils in the lab with the latest technology. I think I'd like to eventually end up as either a staff member at a natural history museum, or a professor of geology at a university. Whatever happens, even if I totally change my mind and decide to pursue and entirely different career, I will use my knowledge and experience that I've gained from this forum and fossil collecting in general to help me reach my goals. Thanks for reading! ~David
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Hey Fossil folks! I dont have much of an outlet for sharing my enthusiasm for fossils outside of the forum. So I really wanted to share this with some people who might think this is cool . Ive always been into fossils but I’ve always had extra interests in trilobites and eurypterids. I’ve seen James hall references over the years in other material whenever I read about fossils from New York. Thinking I could own a copy of a historical book that is always referenced in reading material was just a dream. I was on google trying to find some access to these volumes and came across and amazon link with volume 7 for sale. I ended up buying volume 7 of James Halls Paleontology of New York. Volume 7 is titled “Paleontology Trilobites and other Crustacea”. I wasn’t sure if I saw the description correctly on amazon (there was no photo) and it said the book was from 1888. I took the leap cause I figured amazon wouldn’t mess with me that bad right? I got it in the mail mail the other day and I can’t can’t believe how magnificent this book is! These books are like works of art. The first half is text and the entire second half of the book are trilobite plates!! I cant believe I have a James hall book with all my favorite trilobites as they were first described from 1888! It’s in pretty very good shape I would say too. Now if if I could only get an original “Eurypterida of New York State” book I would die a happy man hah. Here are a couple photos. The book had the binding reinforced so it’s pretty tight. I didn’t open the book all the way to keep it in top condition. The dedication is kinda interesting and odd so I put that in. There are also some really wild trilobites documented in here lol. Al
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Paleontology and stratigraphy of the Navesink Fm, New Jersey
Oxytropidoceras posted a topic in Fossil News
Bennington, J.B., 2003. Paleontology and sequence stratigraphy of the Upper Cretaceous , New Jersey. Long Island Geologists Field Trip. https://pbisotopes.ess.sunysb.edu/lig/Field_Trips/guide-10-03.pdf https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bret_Bennington https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237712370_Paleontology_and_Sequence_Stratigraphy_of_the_Upper_Cretaceous_Navesink_Formation_New_Jersey Long Island Geologists Field Trip Announcements and Guides https://pbisotopes.ess.sunysb.edu/lig/Field_Trips/ Yours, Paul H.- 1 reply
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Relevance of Paleontology (blogpost)
The Amateur Paleontologist posted a topic in General Fossil Discussion
This is rather interesting - an old (2013) blogpost from the PLOS Blogs about why paleontology is relevant https://blogs.plos.org/paleo/2013/02/19/why-paleontology-is-relevant/ -Christian-
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As some might have read in a previous topic, I went to visit my girlfriend in Finland. Unfortunatly Finland must be one of the worst places to find fossils in the world, I did manage to find some quartz vains and a few pieces that may or may not be amber (have to do the hot needle test on them first) Even urban fossil hunting is near impossible as pretty much all buildings are made from the fossil-lacking stones that can be found in Finland. The only urban fossils I found was in the Burger King in the Helsinki Central Station, the floor was littered with orthocones there. But Finland really isn't a good place to hunt fossils. But one thing that definitly is a worth a visit is the Finnish Museum of Natural History! It isn't a really big museum, the collection isn't that big, but the way it is presented is very awesome! One of the few musea that nails being modern and educative at the same time without overdoing it. Especially the Taxidermy diorama's were done amazingly. But I will ofcourse start this topic with what I think will interest you guys the most, the Paleontology part of the museum. A mural with Pikaia, Opabinia & Hallucigenia models Trilobites, most of which were found in Aland (Finland), Gotland (Sweden) and other neighboring countries of Finland Trilobites, most of which were found in Aland (Finland), Gotland (Sweden) and other neighboring countries of Finland Orthocone models Graptolites Eurypterid found in Saarermaa in Estonia (Silurian age) Eurypterid model Giant orthocone model
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Cretaceous Stratigraphy and Paleontology of West-Central Alabama - Guidebook
Oxytropidoceras posted a topic in Fossil News
David C. Kopaska-Merkel and others, 2016, Cretaceous Stratigraphy and Paleontology of West-Central Alabama: A guidebook. Black Belt Museum. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312232486_CRETACEOUS_STRATIGRAPHY_AND_PALEONTOLOGY_OF_WEST-CENTRAL_ALABAMA_A_GUIDEBOOK Yours, Paul H.-
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