Where Are the Best Places to Dig for Fossils?

By Michael Ferguson

Where Are the Best Places to Dig for Fossils?

Digging for fossils is a great way to explore our past and learn more about how life has evolved over time. For those interested in paleontology, finding and studying fossils can be an exciting and rewarding experience. But where are the best places to look for fossils?

The answer depends on what type of fossil you’re looking for. In most cases, you’ll have the best luck looking in sedimentary rocks like shale, sandstone, and limestone.

These types of rocks are formed when sediments like mud and sand are compacted together over time. As these layers of sediment build up, any fossils that were buried in them will be preserved in the rock.

For marine creatures, like trilobites or ammonites, you’ll want to look in areas that were once part of ancient seas or oceans. These could include coastlines or areas near rivers or lakes that used to flow into ancient seas. Exposed cliffs or hillsides are also good spots to search as they may have been beneath an ancient sea at one point in time.

If you’re looking for land-dwelling creatures such as dinosaurs or early mammals, then try looking around dry riverbeds or other areas where sedimentary rocks have been exposed by erosion. There could be fossilized remains from previously undiscovered species just waiting to be unearthed!

In addition to traditional digging sites, there are some other creative ways of finding fossils too. Some fossil hunters scour the beaches after storms when new material is revealed from the sea bed or ocean floor.

Others search through public lands such as national parks where erosion has exposed layers containing fossils from different eras. Lastly, you can also purchase fossil specimens online from reputable dealers which can be a great way to get started with your collection!

Conclusion:

No matter what type of fossil you’re looking for, there are plenty of great places to dig for them! Sedimentary rocks like shale, sandstone and limestone are usually your best bet if you want to find well-preserved specimens.

Marine creatures can often be found along coastlines near ancient seas while land-dwelling creatures may be found near dry riverbeds or eroded hillsides. With some creativity and determination –and perhaps a bit of luck –you can uncover some amazing finds on your next fossil hunting expedition!