Forums

Fossil Discussion

1. General Fossil Discussion

   • Micro-paleontology

   Any general discussions about fossils & paleontology

   120.2k

   posts

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   • Show us your plastic dinosaur
   • By Echinoid Express, 9 hours ago
2. Fossil Hunting Trips

   Post your fossiling adventures here!

    

   PLEASE be circumspect about posting maps or coordinates to areas you hunt.

   Only share generalized location info.

   210.1k

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   • Beginners Luck at Calvert Cliffs
   • By dsaavedra, 24 minutes ago
3. Fossil ID

   Can't figure out what that fossil is? Post bright, sharp images here for identification.

   (Note that responses & confidence increase with image quality!) 

    

   >Please be sure to state where the item was found in the body of your initial post.

   > Be sure to add a GENERAL Location - no maps, or GPS coordinates.  County or region should be good enough.

    

    

   > Please do not post links to websites, nor identify or incriminate a seller in any way- Do Not Copy or screenshot advertisement verbiage. 

   >You may post pictures only, from a commercial website, but no word for word Advert. Copy. 
   >Re-size your pictures, per the tips in our FAQ forum.
   >Please understand that we do not appraise value!

    

   477.6k

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   • Medieval tooth?
   • By Daniel1990, 23 minutes ago
4. Is It Real? How to Recognize Fossil Fabrications

   This forum is devoted to illuminating the pitfalls to be avoided when considering the purchase of fossils. 

   Please do not post links to websites, nor identify or incriminate a seller in any way- Do Not Copy or screenshot advertisement verbiage or post prices. 

   For our educational purposes, the sellers' identity and pricing are immaterial; this is all about the specimens. 

   Please read and follow the guidelines found in the Pinned topic below.

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   • Keichousaurus - real or fake?
   • By RodX, 9 minutes ago
5. Partners in Paleontology - Member Contributions to Science

   >In this forum, we promote and celebrate our amateur contributions to the paleontological sciences. There are many volunteer opportunities to play an important role in furthering the science, and to learn new skills. Whether by volunteering their time (lab work, collections maintenance, organized field work), or through the donation of significant specimens, to scientific institutions, amateurs have always played an important but unheralded part!
   
   >The pinned topic "Fossil Contributions to Paleontology - The Gallery" is an annotated image archive of member-found specimens now residing in museum collections; further discussion of them will be found in linked topics in this forum. ADDING YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THIS THREAD WILL EARN THE PARTNER AWARD FOR YOUR PROFILE.
   
   >All the other topics in this forum are for the discussion of amateurs' collaboration with professionals; science at its best.

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   • Joining the Scholarly Ranks
   • By pachy-pleuro-whatnot-odon, August 2
6. Questions & Answers

   Ask anything you want to know* about fossils in general; maybe someone here will have the answer!
   *For identification of specific fossils, post in Fossil ID for best results..
   >Please understand that we do not appraise value!

   43.4k

   posts

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   • One for the (marine) crocodile specialist...
   • By pachy-pleuro-whatnot-odon, 29 minutes ago
7. Fossil of the Month

   The Winners Gallery and the Official Contests for the Find of the Month.

    

    

   
   Rules for The Fossil Forum's Vertebrate and Invertebrate/Plant Find of the Month Contests

   1. Find a great Vertebrate Fossil or Invertebrate/Plant Fossil! Only fossils found personally by you are allowed. NO PURCHASED FOSSILS.
   2. Post your entry in the Find of the Month topic. Use a separate post for each entry. (Only two entries per member per contest category.)
   3. Your fossil must have been found during the Month of the Contest, or Significant Preparation * of your fossil must have been completed during the Month of the Contest.
   4. You must include the Date of Discovery (when found in the contest month); or the Date of Preparation Completion and Date of Discovery (if not found in the contest month).
   5. Before and After Preparation photos must be submitted for prepped specimens not found during the Month of the Contest. Please make sure you arrange for photos if someone else is preparing your fossil find and completes the prep requirements in the contest month.
   6. You must include the Common and/or Scientific Name.
   7. You must include the Geologic Age or Geologic Formation where the fossil was found.
   8. You must include the State, Province, or region where the fossil was found.
   9. You must include CLEAR, cropped, well-lit images (maximum 4 images). If you are proud enough of your fossil to submit it for FOTM, spend some time to take good photos to show off your fossil.
   10. Play fair and honest. No bought fossils. No false claims.

    

   * Significant Preparation = Substantial work to reveal and/or repair important diagnostic features, resulting in a dramatic change in the look of the fossil. The qualification of Significant Preparation is decided at the discretion of staff. Any doubts as to the eligibility of the entry will be discussed directly with the entrant.

    

    

    

   
   ******* Please use the following format for the required information: *******

   Entries not using the prescribed format WILL NOT be included in the contest. 

    

   • Date of Discovery
   • Scientific and/or Common Name
   • Geologic Age or Geologic Formation
   • State, Province, or Region Found
   • Photos of Find  - Please limit to 4 clear, cropped, and well-lit images.
     (If prepped, before and after photos are required, as well as beginning and end prep dates, please.)

    

    

   *NOTE TO NEW MEMBERS:

   New members are not allowed to enter or vote in the Fossil of the Month contest. 

   This is a delayed privilege given to members who are in good standing, and who participate in the Forum regularly with substantive posts. 

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   • September 2023 Vertebrate Fossil Of The Month Poll
   • By digit, 21 minutes ago
8. Member Collections

   Show off your own collection of fossils

   92.2k

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   • Let's see your latest mailbox score!
   • By trilobites_are_awesome, 14 minutes ago
9. A Trip to the Museum

   A forum to showcase Paleontological museums and their fossil exhibits. Have one near you? Take us along!

   4.3k

   posts

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   • Harvard Museum of Natural History (Cambridge, MA)
   • By DD1991, Wednesday at 07:09 PM
10. Paleo Re-creations

    For members' original paleontological artworks of graphic (life renderings, display backgrounds, ID posters) and sculptural (models, carvings) natures.

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    • New Emoticons!
    • By Brandy Cole, September 21
11. Collecting Gear

    Tools and techniques

    3.8k

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    • Sunday Sifter
    • By Balance, 31 minutes ago
12. Fossil Preparation

    Tools and techniques

    38.1k

    posts

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    • Seeking advice on ecphora prep
    • By dsaavedra, 8 minutes ago
13. Member Fossil Trades Bulletin Board

    We have amended Member-to-Member Trades to differ a bit from the restrictions imposed on member sales.

     

    We enjoy an honest, tight knit community. However, we do occasionally have the odd interloper who will try to take advantage of our open nature.  So, when dealing with less active or new members,  please be sure to check photos of items offered.  Do a reverse image search to make sure they have not been copied from elsewhere online.  Ask questions, and get many photos.  Remember...if it seems too good to be true...it usually isn't true.

     

    For just this reason, we have made the Member to Member Trades Forum a delayed permission. After a reasonable number of substantive posts, the permission will automatically be granted.

     

    As always, if you have any concerns a member is dishonestly trading on TFF, please privately contact anyone on the Staff. 

    
    You may express your initial interests here, or as opportunity might present in other discussion topics; once contact with a trading partner is made, please continue your arrangements via private message. Public notes on successful exchanges are encouraged; disputes must be settled privately.
    
    Please note that transactions done thus must be pure trades, with no money changing hands; beyond that, the transaction may take any form that both participants agree to as equitable.  Fossils offered here cannot be concurrently offered elsewhere online.

     

    Since we are primarily a Fossil Forum, we ask that trades be limited to  Fossils and things directly related to the avocation ONLY. 

    Fossils, paleontological tools, display and storage fixtures, and literature. NO JEWELRY, MODERN SHELLS, SHARK TEETH, or JAWS, PLEASE.

    
    Please remember: the Fossil Forum cannot be held accountable for bad trades. 

    Please be sure about what you are trading for. 

    Blind Trades are NOT recommended. TRADE AT YOUR OWN RISK. 

     

    There is no recourse through the Forum for bad deals. Know who you are trading with. 

    It is NOT the responsibility of The Fossil Forum to mediate disputes; this is solely the responsibility of the parties involved, and must be undertaken privately and off-forum.

     

    15.4k

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    • Sara: The World Traveling Ceratopsian
    • By Caverat, Saturday at 09:42 PM
14. Fossil News

    News from the world of fossils & paleontology

    21k

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    • Trilobite with preserved prey fragments.
    • By Tidgy's Dad, Friday at 10:41 PM