| Fossils are part of our language, most people have | | | | from there. Always obey all site rules and signs. |
| heard of fossils but few if pushed can define | | | | 4). Never hammer away at an outcrop for the sake |
| precisely what a fossil is. Perhaps, before we provide | | | | of it. Remember, nature is very helpful when it |
| some information on the fossil collecting code it may | | | | comes to fossil finding, many fossils are waiting to be |
| prove helpful to define what fossils actually are. A | | | | found in the scree on foreshore, do not ruin the |
| fossil is evidence of ancient life that has been | | | | outcrop or cliff face for others. Collect loose |
| preserved by natural processes within the minerals | | | | specimens wherever possible and take plenty of |
| that make up the Earth. Fossils are normally found in | | | | newspaper to pack specimens in for the journey |
| association with sedimentary rocks, rock formations | | | | home. Empty plastic margarine tubs packed with |
| that have been laid down in layers, the remnants of | | | | newspaper make excellent temporary storage |
| loose sediment such as mud, silt and sand that has | | | | facilities for fossils being transported in a ruck sack. |
| been compressed and changed into rock. However, | | | | 5). Do not be tempted to over collect, remember |
| this is not always the case, for example, in some | | | | you have to carry them back with you, always leave |
| metamorphic rocks (sedimentary rocks that have | | | | some specimens for others. After a few hours fossil |
| been altered as a result of heat or pressure), can still | | | | collecting we tend to hold what we call "beauty |
| show evidence of preserved ancient life. | | | | parades", each one of us can show to the other |
| There are other substances found in nature that can | | | | members of the group what they have found. We |
| preserve a record of life, such as natural tars and oils | | | | then put some back for other fossil hunters to find. |
| (La Brea tar pits in Los Angeles) or amber, the | | | | 6). Never climb on cliffs and always respect the |
| fossilised remains of tree sap. At Starunia in Poland, | | | | countryside code and other users of the countryside. |
| the remains of an ancient species of Rhinoceros was | | | | Close all gates as you go through them, just in case |
| discovered pickled in a mixture of natural tar and salt | | | | there are livestock around that may escape. Do take |
| water. This fossil dates from around 10,000 years | | | | time to enjoy the scenary, a flask of hot tea or |
| ago, but it was so well preserved that residues from | | | | coffee plus a chocolate biscuit is always welcome and |
| this animal's last meal were found in the stomach. | | | | gives you the chance to take a break and take in |
| Scientists do not limit themselves by placing a strict | | | | the world around you, but remember to take your |
| dividing line between evidence of life that is either | | | | litter home. |
| organic or preserved as a fossil. The Starunia | | | | 7). Make simple notes in the field about your |
| Rhinoceros and the preserved remains of Woolly | | | | discoveries. Record the exact location, a brief |
| Mammoths exhumed from the Siberian tundra | | | | description, the number found and the type of rock |
| demonstrate how blurred the definition between | | | | strata associated with them. It is also worth noting |
| fossils and preserved organic remains can be. When | | | | the other fossils found in association with them. If |
| pressed, most palaeontologists would probably | | | | you have a camera, take some pictures, these will |
| consider any evidence of life greater than 10,000 | | | | help you when it comes to curating your collection |
| years old to be a fossil. Speaking in rough terms, | | | | and provide you with some reminders of your day |
| most items found before the Holocene epoch, the | | | | out. |
| beginning of human civilisation would be regarded as a | | | | 8). When you get home, put some time to one side |
| fossil. In practical terms the question of how to | | | | to sort your kit out as well as your fossil finds. Clean |
| define a fossil is not really an issue as most fossils | | | | your boots, put some oil on your geological hammer |
| are millions of years old, indeed many are hundreds | | | | and chisels, a few moments of care will help your |
| of millions of years old. | | | | fossil hunting tools last you a lifetime. |
| The Fossil Collecting Code | | | | 9). Curate your collection properly, keep records of |
| When collecting fossils there are some basic tips and | | | | the finds, the dates found and provide some |
| rules that collectors need to observe. These rules | | | | information on each specimen. Invest in a simple |
| have been devised to help protect individuals as they | | | | storage box with trays so that you can keep them |
| hunt their fossils and incorporate elements such as | | | | safe and sound. A simple data card for each |
| consideration for others and respect for land owners | | | | specimen with basic information on what it was, date |
| and the natural environment. | | | | found, specimen number will suffice. Never discard |
| Here is our guide to safe and happy fossil collecting | | | | your collection, offer it to others before you throw it |
| (points in no particular order of importance) | | | | away. Is there a niece of nephew in your family that |
| 1). Always consider your safety and the safety of | | | | might catch the fossil hunting bug? |
| others with you. It is better to go fossil collecting | | | | 10). Finally, remember that in your own small way you |
| with a group or partner than to go alone. Be aware | | | | are contributing to the science of palaeontology. Your |
| of your safety, tell people where you are going and | | | | modest collection may become a sense of pride to |
| when you can be expected to return. Wear | | | | you, but perhaps, just perhaps you may find |
| appropriate clothing for the weather and carry | | | | something of real scientific value. If you think you |
| waterproofs even if the weather is fine when you | | | | have discovered something a little out of the ordinary |
| start out. A pair of good, sturdy walking boots is a | | | | or unusual take them to your local museum and ask |
| very sensible investment. | | | | the experts for your opinion. In our experience, |
| 2). Remember that if collecting near cliffs or | | | | museum staff are very helpful and never patronising |
| overhangs a hard hat is a sensible precaution. If you | | | | and enjoy hearing about your fossil collecting trips. |
| want to hammer away at rocks, wear safety | | | | So there you have it, some basic pointers regarding |
| goggles. | | | | the collection of fossils. Fossil collecting is a fascinating |
| 3). Check your route to the site, best to arrive early | | | | and absorbing hobby, it gets people out into the |
| with plenty of time to search than to arrive late. | | | | fresh air and helps young people learn more about |
| Always check with the land owners and seek | | | | Earth sciences. Follow these basic rules and you will |
| permission to collect from private land. Take note of | | | | have many happy fossil collecting experiences, we |
| any signage at the site, if a sign says don't collect | | | | have only one further point to add: |
| fossils at a particular place then don't collect fossils | | | | Happy hunting and the best of luck to you. |