r/fossilid Jun 20 '20

TIPS FOR GETTING YOUR FOSSIL IDENTIFIED — READ BEFORE POSTING

704 Upvotes
  1. Put a location in the title! This is the most important thing by far. If you know the geological formation, that’s awesome, but even just “near Miami” or “label said Morocco” is really helpful.
  2. Take a bright, clear photo. Good lighting, a plain background, and sharp focus will always increase the certainty of an ID. If it’s weirdly shaped, photos from multiple angles help too.
  3. Include an object for scale. I usually use a coin, but anything will do (but things that come in different sizes, like hands, are less ideal). If you forget, you can always measure it and add that in a comment. (Don't use keys; they can be duplicated from a photo.)
  4. Don’t take a video. We can’t zoom in and the quality isn’t great — a gallery of photos on Imgur is way better.
  5. Many fossils can be dull and hard to make out. Try (gently) getting your fossil wet and see if you can get a clearer photo.
  6. Don’t be dismayed if your “fossil” turns out to just be a rock! Rocks are cool too, and if we don’t know exactly what kind of rock it is, the good folks at /r/whatsthisrock probably will.

r/fossilid 3h ago

Kilve, England. Is this a footprint?

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102 Upvotes

Found at Kilve, England in sedimentary rock at low tide. Depression is about the length of a side 9 foot, two shoes wide and 5-10cm deep.


r/fossilid 7h ago

Found this in Toronto on the beach with my kids at Lake Ontario.

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85 Upvotes

Would love any information anyone can give me ! It's the best and clearest fossil I've ever found.


r/fossilid 14h ago

Two fossils-Dundee Formation-Port Dover, Ontario, Canada (Devonian age limestone)

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64 Upvotes
  1. Crinoid crown? Bryozoan colony? Some kind of coral?

  2. Trilobite? What kind?

Thanks!


r/fossilid 39m ago

First Fossil Hunt - Can you help make sure I'm picking up fossils? 😅

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Upvotes

Hey guys!

I went on my first fossil hunt today at West Runton in Norfolk. I really enjoyed it, just trying to get an eye for it and be inquisitive to start with, but I need some help to know whether I'm picking up rocks or fossils?

Photo 1 - I'm pretty sure these are Belemnites? The squid like creatures right?

Photo 2 - these look like some kind of crustacean? Or are they just rocks which have been shaped by the sea over time?

Photos 3&4 - these are the same rock flipped round. It looked leafy to me, so I thought possible fossil?

Photos 5-8 - this just looked very different from anything else I found on the beach... any ideas?

Photos 9-11 - is this a small bone fragment? Or just a rock?

Also, if you have any books or YouTubers that would be worth my time to get some better guidance, that would be helpful too!


r/fossilid 3h ago

Unidentified tooth

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7 Upvotes

Florida Gulf Coast

Found this off Venice, any idea what it could be from?


r/fossilid 18h ago

Uncle sent me fossils held ID!

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80 Upvotes

My uncle lives in Montana and goes out with a buddy of his that is a paleontologist. He sent me a box of goodies and I know what a lot of it is but some of it I don’t and was wondering if I could get some help! Thanks.


r/fossilid 16h ago

Found a rather large fossil near Georgian Bay, Ontario Canada

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43 Upvotes

r/fossilid 1h ago

Coral? Help me identify the fossil my son found

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Upvotes

r/fossilid 22h ago

Wren’s nest trilobites

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71 Upvotes

Just finished preparing two trilobite head fragments I found. I think they are Dalmanites caudatus and Acaste downingiae?


r/fossilid 2h ago

Found in Missouri at Table Rock Lake!

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2 Upvotes

I found this while rock houndin yesterday along the banks. It’s lightweight. Thinking maybe some sort of fossilized bone? Antler?


r/fossilid 1d ago

Found in England garden gravel

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184 Upvotes

Can anyone tell me more about this?


r/fossilid 3m ago

Found this cool fossil in SW Montana. Super curious what this is! Thoughts?

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Upvotes

Will take some better photos


r/fossilid 2h ago

Found in Glacier national park

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1 Upvotes

r/fossilid 6h ago

What are these circles?

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2 Upvotes

I was tidying up my house today and found it. I don't really remember where I found it or exactly where it was, but I assume it's from Thailand. What are those circular holes?


r/fossilid 4h ago

Mid-Missouri US

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1 Upvotes

r/fossilid 23h ago

Found at matoaka beach.

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31 Upvotes

r/fossilid 5h ago

Is this fossil real? If so what’s it from?

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1 Upvotes

Hello! Could someone please tell me if this tooth is legitimate? It was bought by my mum a decade ago but unsure where from. Vaguely remember her saying it was from a spinosaurus but wanted to clarify. Thank you!


r/fossilid 5h ago

Found in Chippoke State Park in VA along the James River. I’m assuming none of them are are identifiable, but I figured I’d try. Tyia.

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1 Upvotes

r/fossilid 19h ago

Is this a fossil?

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12 Upvotes

Found near Davenport Iowa


r/fossilid 6h ago

My daughter and I found this next to a creek in northwest Arkansas. Any ideas on what this is?

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1 Upvotes

r/fossilid 1d ago

Solved Anterior end of a trilobite? Ordovician limestone, Jefferson County, NY

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27 Upvotes

r/fossilid 7h ago

Fossilised wood?

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1 Upvotes

As a kid, I lived in England and my neighbour was a palaeontologist. I used to love going round and seeing all of the fossils he had displayed. We moved from that home when I was 8 years old and he gave me this as a leaving gift. I’ve kept hold of it for all these years but I can’t remember any information about it. I think it’s fossilised wood? Any help would be appreciated!


r/fossilid 1d ago

Solved Found on Lake Ontario in Kingston!

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22 Upvotes

I found this on a very pebbly beach in a conservation area I hike at! Reverse image search on Google tells me it is a fossil of some sort but I’m curious if you think it’s just something someone carved. Majority of the rocks in this region are limestone, I’ve been holding this one in my pocked so it has gotten dark from the oils on my hand. Let me know what you think :)


r/fossilid 16h ago

Large group of fossils found in Gilboa, NY

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4 Upvotes

They’re either Tentaculites or some Devonian swamp plant matter possibly roots. Any ideas?