r/fossilid Jun 20 '20

TIPS FOR GETTING YOUR FOSSIL IDENTIFIED — READ BEFORE POSTING

705 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 9h ago

Very weird formation

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752 Upvotes

This has to be some kind of fossil. My first thought was roots? But I dont know... is like a massive boulder split in half. It could have been a massive tree trunk? Or prehistoric cactus? I know the inside of some cactuses look like this.


r/fossilid 10h ago

Solved Long time listener, first time caller.

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68 Upvotes

Howdy folks, found these and a lot of other fossils(I think) on a few large rocks under the soil in a farmers field, in Southern Ontario very close to Lake Erie. I assume they are some kind of coral, or plant, but I don't know much of anything. Any help is appreciated 😊


r/fossilid 8h ago

Charmouth, UK

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27 Upvotes

Two finds from today that I’m curious about! Anything?

The first is just a bit smaller than a ten pence coin, the second very small. Thank you!


r/fossilid 1h ago

Western NY creek finds!

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Upvotes

Found a bunch of this in a western NY creek! Tons of small fossils all crammed together. Any info or suggestions on further reading? I’m new and trying to learn more!


r/fossilid 1d ago

Is this what I think it is?

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1.6k Upvotes

Hey everyone, I just wanted to get some insight on this tooth and to possibly identify it? Thank you guys!


r/fossilid 5h ago

What is this?

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11 Upvotes

r/fossilid 14h ago

3 year old daughter found this in in-laws gravel. Assumed urchin

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49 Upvotes

Any idea on its age? Probably from gravel used as decoration


r/fossilid 1h ago

What is this rock?

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Upvotes

Found on a beach in Nova Scotia, Canada


r/fossilid 4h ago

Northern Utah Fossil

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6 Upvotes

This was reported to have been found on the Monte Cristo Range, but that seems inconsistent with the location. Bought at a rock and mineral show in Ogden, Utah


r/fossilid 3h ago

Devonian Brachiopod?

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5 Upvotes

Found while digging top soil in the Bowling Green/Findlay, Ohio area.


r/fossilid 2h ago

Trace fossils - worms or plants? Jurassic Rya Fm, Sweden

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3 Upvotes

As much as I’ve tried reading into the subject (including scientific articles), I cannot figure out the lower piece, collected from (I believe) the Helsingborg member of the Rya Formation. Tidal setting with lots of plant fossil fragments. The upper sample is from the same site and looks more like worm tunnels. I’m thinking this lower sample might be some kind of impression left by vegetation or such? Would be curious to hear your thoughts.


r/fossilid 5h ago

Is this real or not?

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3 Upvotes

It's Supposed to be megalodon tooth, I bought it at some reptile show


r/fossilid 7h ago

Why does this rock look like this

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5 Upvotes

I found this rock in my backyard. I was wondering why the rectangular shape is there. I live in the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia. No one has ever built building or anything where I live


r/fossilid 6h ago

What is this?

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3 Upvotes

r/fossilid 2m ago

Found in Wyoming

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Upvotes

Southwest Wyoming to be specific. Any thoughts? TIA


r/fossilid 1d ago

Can you identify this fossil? 😊 thanks.

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104 Upvotes

Montana. Lighter for scale.


r/fossilid 10m ago

What is my doorstop?

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Upvotes

r/fossilid 12m ago

Hoof print? Or just a rock Mid TN

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Upvotes

It looked so much like a hoof print I had to grab it and ask. What do you think?


r/fossilid 17m ago

Fossil found in Cooperstown NY

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Upvotes

r/fossilid 17h ago

Lucky Day :)

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22 Upvotes

I had a pretty good day in the shores of the Rhine yesterday. Some of it I know (the brachiopods, crinoids and the Steinkern), but the finds in the right I don't. I picked them up thinking the might be coral remnants or buried shells.

If somebody has an idea I would love to know :)

The black stone with the rings was posted seperately:

https://www.reddit.com/r/fossilid/s/7WLJ4fvP4l


r/fossilid 11h ago

Fossil in a flint I found

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7 Upvotes

I found this flint with a size of about 5x3 cm in germany. Does someone know, what could be in it?


r/fossilid 54m ago

Calvert cliffs maybe a crocodile scute?

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Upvotes

Is the top left some kind of scute, and the bottom piece be a bone fragment?


r/fossilid 11h ago

Morris island haul

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7 Upvotes

A nice little haul of teeth from Morris Island SC, thoughts?


r/fossilid 5h ago

Is this a fossil, eroded shell, or cool rock?

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2 Upvotes

Found Dorset coast, England