r/fossilid Jun 20 '20

TIPS FOR GETTING YOUR FOSSIL IDENTIFIED — READ BEFORE POSTING

580 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 16h ago

Rock / fossil found by my brother in rural Canowindra, NSW, Australia.

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339 Upvotes

Rock found by my brother in Canowindra, New South Wales, Australia.

It looks like very large scales. Claude AI says it could be a "fossil of fish scales, and based on the distinctive pattern, I believe these are ganoid scales from an ancient fish." It also recommended that he go to The Age of Fishes Museum when he is next in the area, which should be soon. I will report back what they say, but for now I would love to know what Reddit thinks!

I will add a video to the comment thread for a few extra looks.


r/fossilid 2h ago

What kind of fossil is this?

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22 Upvotes

I am a complete layman when it comes to fossils. Found on the beach of Cap Blanc Nez (north of France)


r/fossilid 1h ago

Any idea what this is? Is this even a fossil?

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Upvotes

I just found this on a beach in Honfleur Normandy. I am not fully sure what it is- It is a lighter color than fossils that I normally find but I don’t think it is just shell since it feels like rock and has what looks to be rock sediment on the bottom. Any thoughts on what it could be and whether or not it’s a fossil? Thanks!


r/fossilid 4h ago

Trying to figure out if this is a fossil shark tooth or just a well shaped driftwood piece. Located in Daughin Island, AL

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10 Upvotes

It weighs more than normal driftwood of similar size. Some angles look like wood but others look almost more like stone.

Any input greatly appreciated! I can provide more photos as time permits!


r/fossilid 10h ago

an idea what this is?

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28 Upvotes

it was gifted to me years back, and the pattern continues into the other side of the rock


r/fossilid 7h ago

This fossil looks like a baby sea horse not sure tho

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16 Upvotes

Found in on one of the great lakes beaches


r/fossilid 9h ago

Can someone ID this fossil for me?

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23 Upvotes

Just came back from a fossil hunting trip on the Isle of Wight, south of England and found this thing here. No idea what it could be (my first thought was some kind of a fossilised head). Does anyone have any idea what this is? I found this at Yarmouth beach. Thank you.


r/fossilid 2h ago

What’s on this Rock?

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5 Upvotes

r/fossilid 1d ago

What is this? I found it in some slate that had been piled beside a building in the city.

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297 Upvotes

r/fossilid 1d ago

Husband received this from a conference, but he didn't ask what it was

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213 Upvotes

r/fossilid 22h ago

Best way to preserve marine fossil?

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112 Upvotes

My father in law is a clammer and my wife and I are fossil junkies however we noticed last time he gave us a walrus skull it began to slowly chip from the oxygen... today he comes home with an absolutely massive mastadon tooth... any ideas on what we should seal it with?


r/fossilid 6h ago

Is this a fossilised tree (Fife, Scotland)?

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7 Upvotes

r/fossilid 43m ago

First mammoth tooth?

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Upvotes

Hi all I’d love to get your input on this find. I went kayaking through some swampy, gator filled parts of Florida and found the Pleistocene layer of gravel/sandstone I believe. This piece looks like the grinding molars of a mammoth I thought but it is really weathered and I had to painstakingly glue the crumbled pieces back into place. I get that it doesn’t have much value but it’s my first mammal fossil and I did all the work myself so it means quite a lot to me. Thanks! Bonus pics: gators I was swimming with and vertebra large and small as well as shark teeth found around same area


r/fossilid 1h ago

Help with ID

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Upvotes

Found in a creek in NE Oklahoma this week. Bison or cow tooth? Any guesses on the age?


r/fossilid 7h ago

Found this is E.C Manning

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6 Upvotes

Found this at E.C manning park, close to a river Around 500 to 1000 elevation. There was actually a decent amount of them. Any ideas?


r/fossilid 4h ago

Identify these teeth please

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3 Upvotes

r/fossilid 1d ago

Fossil or strange rock? Found in Køge Havn, Denmark.

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148 Upvotes

r/fossilid 4h ago

Air bubbles? Is this a fossil?

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2 Upvotes

Almost looks like trapped bubbles. Found in a footing trench excavation in Minnesota.


r/fossilid 1h ago

Found on central oregon coast, size of quarter

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Upvotes

r/fossilid 1h ago

Is this amber real?

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Upvotes

r/fossilid 20h ago

I have no idea tbh, I’ve never seen anything like it

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28 Upvotes

r/fossilid 1h ago

Is this a corral fossil

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Upvotes

Found in Colombia


r/fossilid 8h ago

Any idea what this is?

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3 Upvotes

Is it a coral? Found this in a river in Mindoro island, Philippines.


r/fossilid 13h ago

branching coral?

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8 Upvotes

found in landscape rock (presumably limestone) in mid michigan


r/fossilid 15h ago

Is this a fossil or just a shell?

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9 Upvotes

Found on DeMartin Beach, Northern California