r/fossilid Jun 20 '20

TIPS FOR GETTING YOUR FOSSIL IDENTIFIED — READ BEFORE POSTING

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

Weird discovery in copal

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

Hello! I am unsure of provenance and am not sure it matters for this thing. I was looking at this termite and found this weird thing next to it. What do y'all think of this??? Biological? Inorganic? Mineral? Meteorite? I can get more photos if needed. 10x zoom is shown here.


r/fossilid 6h ago

I was given access to some nice rocks and minerals from the family of the neighbor who passed away. Saw these two pieces and are pretty sure they are fossils!

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

2 pieces. Same sort of shape with each, with symmetrical lobes or ball joint-esque pits on one end (last two pics are best examples of thisl. First 4 and last 4 photos are the all the sides of each.

No location, the family knew nothing about the 'pretty rocks', and I retrieved these from beneath a tree in a backyard where they were dumped. I live in Northern California, but a lot of the rock specimens they had were stuff from all over the US.


r/fossilid 15h ago

Solved Gainesville, FL - Claw bone?

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

Looking for help confirming ID on these two fossilized pieces. I found them as a kid about 15 years ago. Both were buried underwater in sand/rock and found less than 10 feet apart.

At the time, I was told they might be a claw and connecting bone from a short-faced cave bear. Vaguely recall being told to paint with standard wood glue to preserve (reason for shine), but that was many years ago.

I have owned for a long time and have always wondered if the pieces do go together. Plan is to finally to put in a shadow box and make sure it is labeled with correct species and the likelihood that they are from the same animal.

Any insights are appreciated!


r/fossilid 6h ago

Any ideas on this? From a Paleozoic dolomite in Nevada

Post image
Upvotes

r/fossilid 19h ago

Purchased this yesterday at an Antique booth, sticker said it was a Gomphotherium fossil from Beaufort SC. Does that seem right?

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

r/fossilid 3h ago

Found in Oregon among Native American artifacts

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

I live in the Willamette Valley Of Oregon what use to be home to the kalapuya Indians. I found this in a plowed field. Among other Indian artifacts, Several arrow heads and a couple pestles. It is almost 2 inches long


r/fossilid 3h ago

Ramanessin Brook (near Big Brook) New Jersey

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

any help ID’ing this fossil would be great! Found in Ramanessin Brook in central New Jersey. Thank you!


r/fossilid 1h ago

What is this?

Thumbnail gallery
Upvotes

r/fossilid 2h ago

Suspected fossilized leave

Post image
Upvotes

I found it in a river. The leave? Is 11 mm broad and 30mm long, it might seems to only be a part tho.


r/fossilid 3h ago

Anyone know the exact scientific name?

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

r/fossilid 5h ago

Solved Rocks, said to be found with the marks already (doubtful). Are they really fossils?

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

Edit: Thank you everyone:)

No location given

They said it had the markings already

They said it's ammonite

The markings seem to have a really small amount of texture


r/fossilid 4h ago

Found in Nahanni National Park Reserve - Northwest Territories (Canada)

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

I recently canoed the Nahanni River and found endless fossils. This one really stood out to me and I’m hoping someone can help ID it. All were admired and left where found :)

Bonus photo of my favourite finds at the end


r/fossilid 12h ago

Found in Southern Indiana. Guessing Aturia, but not confident.

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

Not confident, as Indiana didn't seem to be particularly of their typical fossil range based on preliminary searches, but I'd love to hear your thoughts!


r/fossilid 1h ago

STRANI SASSI

Thumbnail gallery
Upvotes

r/fossilid 17h ago

Solved Fossilized acorn?

Post image
Upvotes

Found in Mikulov, South Moravia, wondering what kind of fossil could this be. We thought it could be a fossilized acorn but would appreciate someone pointing us in the right direction.


r/fossilid 2h ago

Petrified wood?

Post image
Upvotes

Found at a strip mall in Los Vegas.


r/fossilid 17h ago

Boring compared to others, but would be my first.

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

Shore of the Saint John River, east of Fredericton.

Have never seen something along here I thought might be a fossil.

Thanks!


r/fossilid 16h ago

Is this a fossil?

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

Found in Ireland, in Inishmore, If memory serves. The east coast is also a possibility.


r/fossilid 7h ago

Calvert Cliffs, MD

Post image
Upvotes

r/fossilid 20h ago

Compton bay, isle of wight.

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

Are these fossils? If ao anyone got an idea on what they are?


r/fossilid 13h ago

I just purchased these in North Carolina from an estate sale. They both are about 12-13” by 10-11”. Thank you for help id’ing!

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

r/fossilid 11h ago

Some early finds from Mazon Creek

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

I went to Mazon-creek back in May, but only just got around to trying to open the concretions up via the freeze thaw process. These are the notable ones I’ve seperated out (before any freeze-thaws).

Any ideas about any of these?


r/fossilid 13h ago

Fossil? What Kind?

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

Found earlier this year in a creekbed, a quarter mile from the coast in San Pedro, Ca. Thanks!


r/fossilid 6h ago

ID request

Thumbnail gallery
Upvotes

Found at myrtle beach NC. Please help me figure out whats going on with this lil guy:)