When animals or plants die, they get buried in sand or mud. After millions of years, their remains turn to stone. As the tectonic plates moved over time, the fossils buried deep in the earth were forced toward the surface.

Fossils can be found by humans when they peek out of rock. They can be as old as 2 billion years old! If fossils get buried underwater, they stay in the best condition. The best place to look for fossils is on a sea cliff. Other good places to look are quarries, rivers, and dug up cuttings of railroads and new roads.

Some of the tools that you can use use are picks, jackhammers, chisels, hammers, paintbrushes, aluminum foil, hard hats and goggles, rock saws, explosives, brushes, plaster casts, and much more! But, you must have permission to dig and use tools from the government.

Good types of rock to look in are clay, limestone, sandstone, and shale. Open your eyes and start looking! You might find something that's really old and interesting.

2000 Fossils Home
Where to Find Fossils	Vertebrate Fossils	Invertebrate Fossils
Fun and Games	Bibliography	About Us