The enduring fascination with dinosaurs often sparks curiosity about uncovering their ancient remains. While many envision a simple adventure, the reality involves a complex scientific endeavor. This article explores professional methods, legitimate opportunities for public involvement, and the legal and ethical considerations surrounding fossil discovery.
Understanding Dinosaur Digging
Professional paleontological excavation is a highly specialized scientific process, distinct from casual digging. Paleontologists identify potential sites by examining geological maps for sedimentary rock layers from the Mesozoic Era. They also conduct surface surveys in areas with exposed rock, searching for fossil fragments that indicate larger buried remains. This guides their efforts, as complete fossils are rarely found fully exposed.
Excavation requires specific expertise and tools. While heavy machinery might remove significant amounts of rock, delicate instruments such as chisels and brushes are used for carefully uncovering fragile fossils. Discovered bones are encased in plaster jackets for safe transport to a laboratory. This methodical approach preserves the scientific context of each find.
Opportunities for Public Participation
For those eager to experience fossil discovery, several legitimate avenues exist beyond professional paleontology. Commercial fossil digs, often called “pay-to-dig” sites, offer supervised opportunities for the public to excavate and keep common fossils. Locations like Fossil Lake Safari in Kemmerer, Wyoming, or U-Dig Fossils in Delta, Utah, allow visitors to search for fish fossils or trilobites in designated quarries, providing tools and guidance. Penn Dixie Fossil Park in New York is another example, known for its Devonian Period marine fossils. These sites frequently guarantee finds and are designed for a hands-on experience, making them accessible for individuals and families.
Volunteer programs at museums and universities provide structured involvement for non-professionals. Institutions such as the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History or the Florida Museum of Natural History often seek volunteers for tasks ranging from field excavation to laboratory preparation and exhibit development. These programs offer a chance to contribute to scientific research and learn from experts, though they may have specific requirements or commitments.
Some public lands permit limited “casual collecting” of certain fossils. On Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, individuals may collect a reasonable amount of common invertebrate fossils, such as shells or trilobites, and plant fossils for personal, non-commercial use. This typically involves surface collection or using non-powered hand tools. Regulations vary significantly by state and specific land management agency, so checking local rules before collecting is essential.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Fossil hunting requires understanding and adhering to legal and ethical guidelines to protect irreplaceable scientific resources. The regulations for fossil collection depend primarily on land ownership. On private land, all fossils belong to the landowner, making their explicit permission a prerequisite for any collection. Clear agreements must be established, and the property left undisturbed.
Public lands (federal, state, and tribal) have distinct rules. Federal lands, managed by agencies like the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service (NPS), and U.S. Forest Service, are governed by the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (PRPA) of 2009. This act generally prohibits the collection of vertebrate fossils, including dinosaur bones, without a specific research permit issued to qualified scientific institutions. Fossils collected under such permits remain public property for scientific study and exhibition.
The PRPA allows for “casual collecting” of common invertebrate and plant fossils on some federal lands, such as certain BLM areas, for personal, non-commercial use. This casual collection is typically restricted to surface finds using only hand tools and is strictly prohibited in National Parks. Unauthorized collection on federal lands can lead to criminal and civil penalties. Ethical collecting emphasizes preserving the scientific context of a find and reporting significant discoveries. State and municipal land regulations vary widely, so verifying local laws is necessary.
What to Do if You Find Fossils
Accidentally discovering a fossil can be exciting, and responsible handling is important for its scientific value. If you encounter a significant fossil, leave it in place. Removing it can damage the specimen and destroy crucial geological context needed for study.
Thorough documentation is the next step. Take multiple photographs from different angles, including wider shots of the landscape. Note the exact location (preferably with GPS coordinates), and describe the fossil’s appearance, size, and embedded rock type. This information helps experts understand its significance.
Finally, contact a local natural history museum, a university paleontology or geology department, or the relevant land management agency. Many institutions have procedures for reporting discoveries and can provide guidance on identification and potential professional excavation. Your careful reporting can contribute valuable data to scientific understanding.