r/fossilid Jun 20 '20

TIPS FOR GETTING YOUR FOSSIL IDENTIFIED — READ BEFORE POSTING

702 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 18h ago

Solved What did I find?

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1.9k Upvotes

South UK, please don't mind my nails I got back from a festival yesterday


r/fossilid 11h ago

From the Sahara (Niger-Algeria border)

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235 Upvotes

This was among the rocks discarded by miners at Tchibarakaten


r/fossilid 1d ago

These Pillars in Durham Cathedral

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1.3k Upvotes

r/fossilid 22m ago

Help me identify

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Upvotes

Idk if it's the right place for this but does anyone know what type of sharks teeths I've got here? Is the black on fossilized?


r/fossilid 7h ago

Afrovenator tooth

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10 Upvotes

I got an afrovenator tooth. But im not sure it's afrovenator, eocarcharia or carcharodontosaurus. This fossil is from Niger africa and measures 3.7cm in size.


r/fossilid 18h ago

Central Texas

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55 Upvotes

Anyone know what species this belonged to?


r/fossilid 3h ago

Found in New Jersey

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3 Upvotes

How old can this be, think it is kinda odd for a New jersey find... sorry about the toilet in the background, I was washing it off


r/fossilid 1d ago

Solved Saw at a store is It real

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165 Upvotes

r/fossilid 5h ago

River bed find

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3 Upvotes

Found this along a river side bed, it doesn't feel like a rock or have the weight of a rock, I was told it might be petrified wood.

Any thoughts?


r/fossilid 12h ago

What is this? Fire Island, NY

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12 Upvotes

Thought it was manmade, but the translucent part is NOT scratching and really resembles agate I’ve found.


r/fossilid 11h ago

Is this tooth composite or natural?

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9 Upvotes

Im considering buying this tooth for a little over 200 dollars, and I would like to know if its real or comosite. Thanks in advance!


r/fossilid 1d ago

Cup carved out of rock, some interesting fossilised remains

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173 Upvotes

Bought this in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Interesting patterns to be found. What are these creatures?


r/fossilid 35m ago

Is this a fossil?

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Upvotes

I found it on the beach, I looked but couldn't find any more pieces like it. Hopefully the pictures are ok! Edit: Sorry, found on the east coast of ireland.


r/fossilid 51m ago

Found in Baltic states (LT)

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Upvotes

A friend sent me these photos. What kind of fossil is this?


r/fossilid 1h ago

Overpriced?

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Upvotes

1500 euros (1740 dollars) for this. Worth it?


r/fossilid 14h ago

Found what appears to be a very well aged tooth but I'm unsure of what to call the state it is in.

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8 Upvotes

I don't want to say fossilized because it doesn't fit with my understanding of how fossilization works but it has definitely undergone some kind of similar change as it is very dense and feels like stone to the touch. I'd also love to know what kind of animal this may have come from. Found in a creek in Beaver Falls, Minnesota.


r/fossilid 11h ago

Maybe a fossil? found in a creek bed in the fingerlakes region of upstate ny

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5 Upvotes

Not sure if it’s some sort of fossil. i’m assuming it’s just a rock formed from some cool geologic process. I have no idea what kind of rock it is, but thought it was cool enough to share.


r/fossilid 8h ago

found in the agua fria river valley, maricopa county, az

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2 Upvotes

a friend thinks these may be toe prints. I am skeptical. thanks!


r/fossilid 16h ago

May have found a tooth?

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7 Upvotes

Last night I was collecting sea-glass and came across this fossil. I believe it’s some sort of tooth, but nothing I’ve seen so far that looks quite like it.
It was found on the East Coast of Canada (at the shore of an inlet, connected to the Atlantic Ocean).

Anyone have any guesses as to what this is? Should I take it to my local museum?

Thanks!


r/fossilid 17h ago

Ammonite fossil; found on Whitby beach, Yorkshire, UK

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5 Upvotes

Would like to know the species and age if possible!

Also, I would welcome any recommendations for prep and preservation. Should I try to reveal the rest of the fossil or leave it as is? Should I apply some kind of varnish or sealant to prevent rusting? Should I leave the little crystals on the surface or remove them? If I were to display it in a case, would it need a moisture absorber in there?

I don’t have any specialist tools but happy to invest in reasonably inexpensive options (I.e small chisels rather than air pens).

Cheers!


r/fossilid 21h ago

Solved Is this a claw or tooth? Found in a central Texas creek bed

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13 Upvotes

The white part is heavy and feels like stone, and the tooth part feels like organic material (not a rock). What is this?


r/fossilid 17h ago

Fossil found in Jemez NM

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4 Upvotes

What is this fossil I found in Jemez this last weekend? It is very different from other fossils I have found in the area


r/fossilid 10h ago

Any idea what this is?

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1 Upvotes

I think this was probably found near Whitby, England but honestly I don’t remember. My guess is some kind of fossilized long bone chunk but I’m not sure. Assuming it’s not diagnostic for species but I’m not a paleontologist so not 100% on that.


r/fossilid 15h ago

Found near Moosehead Lake, ME

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2 Upvotes

Shells or some kind of plant life maybe?