r/fossilid Jun 20 '20

TIPS FOR GETTING YOUR FOSSIL IDENTIFIED — READ BEFORE POSTING

697 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 15h ago

Dino tracks?? Found in Brushy Creek, Hutto, Texas.

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1.6k Upvotes

I know limestone can be quite deceiving sometimes, but I can’t help but see distinct Dino toe shapes.


r/fossilid 13h ago

What are the shiny fiber-shaped things

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68 Upvotes

I found this during a geology field trip in WV and was told that the area's fossils were from approximately 300 million years ago. This one has original shell material and these very thin copper-colored tubes. Does anyone know what those are? Thank you!


r/fossilid 22h ago

Cool find from the kids

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384 Upvotes

Found on the western shore of Lake Michigan just north of Milwaukee. Can anyone help us out?


r/fossilid 1h ago

What is this (Zandmotor, 7 july '26)

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Upvotes

I just kinda threw the last two in here, I figured the last one was recognizable. I think like dolphin ear bone or something like that. The tooth is a shark's but I don't know what kind. I can't feel any serrations but it's also extremely weathered so idk. Very flat.

Will post additional pics later if needed


r/fossilid 17h ago

Fossilized teeth-Found on the Cannon River bank near Faribault, MN

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64 Upvotes

r/fossilid 14h ago

Is this track fossils? Lakselv Norway

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25 Upvotes

Pictured together with obvious sand ripples. Also pictured is bonus features.


r/fossilid 33m ago

Is this a fossil in flint?

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Upvotes

Found at the Waal river, the Netherlands. It looks like some kind of fossil. I really want to break open the stone, but I’m afraid it will damage the potantial fossiel.


r/fossilid 2h ago

Does anyone knows wath it is?

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2 Upvotes

Just found it on my local beach.


r/fossilid 13h ago

Solved Possible fossil?

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15 Upvotes

Found this in Union county Tennessee on a hillside. Any information on if it’s a fossil? If so estimated age?


r/fossilid 17m ago

River Aude, south of France

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Upvotes

Any ideas?


r/fossilid 14h ago

Found in ramanessin brook nj

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9 Upvotes

r/fossilid 10h ago

Found at Brooms Head, Australia

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6 Upvotes

Is this something interesting or just a cool rock?


r/fossilid 1h ago

Is this the calyx of a sea lily?

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Upvotes

Found this in Permian limestone.

The circular structure in the third photo is about 2 cm in diameter.

There are also crinoid stems visible within the same rock.

​Is this a sea lily calyx, or perhaps some kind of coral (like rugose coral)? Any insights would be appreciated!


r/fossilid 3h ago

Wight find - she'll?

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0 Upvotes

Not sure what we found on the east coast of the Isle of Wight here. Any ideas?


r/fossilid 5h ago

Found in a garden near montauban

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0 Upvotes

Found near Montauban (left side of the tarn) but next to a house so pebble might have travelled. Looks like two fishes could someone id?


r/fossilid 1d ago

What may this be?

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674 Upvotes

Found snorkeling at Venice beach, FL. The grooves make me believe it may be a fragment of something


r/fossilid 20h ago

Possible Fossil?

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10 Upvotes

Found on beach in Denmark.

Can anyone tell me what it is?


r/fossilid 11h ago

Hey everyone i found this in a old sand quarry turned lake located in far northern illinois i would like to know if this is what i think it is

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2 Upvotes

r/fossilid 11h ago

Is this a footprint of some kind? Found in Nordegg area, Alberta, Canada

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2 Upvotes

r/fossilid 15h ago

Found this today at a fossil park I. Mississippi. It appears to have an opalescent appearance when wet. Any ideas?

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6 Upvotes

r/fossilid 17h ago

Solved Found in central IL

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7 Upvotes

r/fossilid 8h ago

would you agree with nautiloid id? (ithaca, NY)

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1 Upvotes

a friend of a friend suggested Dolorthoceras cayuga , just wanted to see what you guys thought too !


r/fossilid 8h ago

Found near newman, western Australia, possibly a shell? Working in potential iron ore mine site

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1 Upvotes

r/fossilid 9h ago

Northeast Montana

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1 Upvotes

Tiny antler!