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Having the right tools and supplies for the collecting of fossils can make the difference between a meaningless bag full of half busted rocks and a well documented and productive collection of beautiful and valuable specimens.
I have been collecting fossils since I was eight years old. I started with one of my dad's hammers and a small cold chisel. I carried the fossils in empty Band-Aid cans and threw the lot into a used boy scout back pack. Since then I have refined my equipment with an emphasis on light weight and maximum versatility.
Almost all of my collecting has been for invertebrates and this list reflects that bias. The items needed to collect the smaller Paleozoic or Mesozoic invertebrates common to most of us is what this list will emphasize.
If you will be collecting vertebrate material other than teeth or bone fragments then you will need both a different set of tools and skills. There are special techniques and procedures needed to record, excavate and preserve skeletons. These include marking off a site and recording positions of fossils in relation to each other, painstaking careful exposure of specimens, plaster jacketing and equipment for removal of heavy loads. If this is what you hope to do then consult one of the excellent books on the subject including several listed below.
I have broken the following list down into four categories:
TOOLS: items you will use to find and extract your specimens.
SUPPLIES: items that are expendable.
REFERENCES: be prepared with maps and fieldguides.
SAFETY & COMFORT: Band-Aids to apples.
Items marked with an asterix(*) are the essentials.
TOOLS:
* ROCK PICK - The classic geologist's pick is always the most useful. It
has a square and flat end for busting rock and striking chisels and a
pointed pick end for digging, turning and splitting rock. In areas with
scorpions or snakes it is very useful for turning rocks over safely. There
are several weights and sizes to chose from. If you find yourself often
working in very hard rock then get the larger size and if you will use it
to turn stone get a longer handle.
CHIPPING HAMMERS - Like a mason's hammer it has a flat blade at the back
end for splitting or trimming rock. This hammer is very useful when working
in shales or other thinly laminated rock.
CRACK/SLEDGE HAMMERS - Crack hammers are small to medium size sledge
hammers, 2 to 4 pounds with various lengths of handles but usually short.
These hammers are useful when you are doing some serious excavation in hard
rock or you need to drive large chisels. I keep a three-pound crack hammer in
the trunk of the car but seldom actually carry it with me.
A SAFETY NOTE ABOUT HAMMERS - Remember that a carpenter's claw hammer is
not a good geology hammer. It is not meant to be struck against rock or
hardened steel and can chip and send nasty fragments flying your way. A
ball peen is OK in a pinch since it is made to strike hard steel but it's
shape is not quite right for working rock. If a hammer's head starts to
come loose or the handle is breaking fix or replace it immediately, it is
very dangerous.
HAMMER SHEATHS or LOOPS - These are a good way to keep your hands free.
Sheaths with snaps are good when you are climbing around and don't want to
drop your hammer. A carpenter's belt loop makes for quick access to your
hammer when you need it. Both are found at hardware stores.
* CHISELS - They come in various sizes. The all purpose size has a 1/2 inch
wide blade and is about 6 to 9 inches long. Other useful sizes are 1/4 inch
for fine work and 1 inch or bigger for heavy work. Another very useful
chisel is known as a BRICK SET. It has a wide(2-3") blade and is excellent
for splitting and trimming. Hand guards are now available for most chisels
and they come in bright colors which makes them a lot safer and harder to
lose.
GAD PRY or CROW BARS - There are times when you need to split larger rocks
than your chisels can handle. The gad pry has a point at one end and a
short right angled blade at the other for prying layers apart. It is
usually 18 inches or more long and offers some leverage. Crow bars are
useful for turning and moving big stuff and come in many sizes.
* SMALL PICKS - For actually getting small fossils loose or exposed from
the rock you need a finely pointed tool. Ice picks, dental picks or just a
small nail stuck in the end of a dowel are handy. You can find used dental
picks in most hardware stores these days.
TWEEZERS - A good pair of tweezers will come in handy if you must collect
small pieces without disturbing the matrix or dirt around the specimen. A
good example would be a specimen that is starting to disarticulate and must
be collected in pieces for later assembly such as a crinoid or trilobite.
I have one long tweezers with an offset tip that works well for everything.
TROWELS - When working in soft sediments these can be very handy. An old
paint or butter knife will also do.
* DUST BRUSHES - I recommend three types: a small soft brush(1/4" wide
paint brush), a wide soft brush(3" paint brush) and a stiff brush(old
toothbrush). I have found that disposable flux brushes from the hardware
store are good. If you are going to excavate in very dusty shale or
limestone a long handled dust brush is very useful.
SIEVE - A plastic or wire screen is useful for sifting through dirt or
sand. This is often the very best way to search for shark teeth in creek
beds. If you think you will be doing a great deal of collecting in sands or
gravel you may want to have a variety of mesh sizes. From 1/4 inch down to
window screen or smaller depending on what you expect to find. I have a
round plastic one made for kids to play with at the beach. I also find it
very useful at other locations as a place to park specimens until I can
get to labeling and bagging them. The bright yellow color makes it hard to
lose.
*SHOULDER &/or BACK PACKS - I have one heavy canvas back pack for the big
tools and packing materials and a smaller shoulder bag for the fine tools
and specimens. I carry both to the general area I am collecting in and then
"park" the back pack while I keep the shoulder bag with me. I also have a
few small pouches that slip on my belt. They hold my small picks, chisels,
10X magnifier, labels and small containers for delicate fossils. A
fly-fishing or hunting vest can be incredibly useful. They have loads of
pockets and pouches with Velcro or zippered closures and usually a few
hooks or loops for hanging things on. Mine has 30 pockets, no kidding.
CLOTH BAGS - A couple of cloth shopping bags can come in very handy when
you need to carry out large specimens or rocks. They fold up and are light
weight.
COMPASS - Needed if you are keeping good notes on your location or hiking
in remote areas. Many to choose from.
MAP SCALE - You can buy ones that work with all the standard map scales or
make your own. I have one that came with several folding scales at
different common scales such as 1:24,000 & 1:250,000 and both feet and
meters. It has an inch and centimeter scale for photography.
METER STICK - I have a walking stick that I have painted with ten
alternating bands of black and bright green. Each band is 10 centimeters
long and there is an 11th band that has 10 one centimeter bands. It is what
I place in all photos of outcrops when in the field.
*MAGNIFIER(S) - The most useful size magnifier is the 10X folding lens.
With this power of magnification you can observe most small fossils and
diagnostic detail. I also carry a 15X lens but hardly ever use it, it is
just too tight a view. A larger 3X hand lens is also handy for scanning
rock surfaces.
CAMERA - Taking pictures of a location is always a good idea. Any camera
will do. Remember to put something into the picture for scale such as your
hammer, friend or meter stick.
SUPPLIES:
* NOTEBOOK - Keeping good notes is very important. There are all kinds of
notebooks to choose from. Anything from a steno-pad to a waterproof
surveyor's log. Mainly it should fit in your pack or pocket, be stiff
enough to write on while standing and sturdy enough to hold up to the
environment.
* PENS & PENCILS - Water-proof pens are good for labeling fossils in the
field. Take along several pencils for keeping notes. I use a mechanical
pencil since it never needs sharpening.
*LABELS - Small paper labels for specimens are very important. These can
be just small slips of blank paper or pre-printed forms. I make my own
labels and each has a place for a field number, location information and
date. I always have several hundred with me and I spread them out through
my packs and bags so they are always handy.
* SMALL CONTAINERS - Various sizes of small boxes, film cans or plastic
jars are good for holding delicate specimens. Stuffing some tissue or foam
into each is also good for protecting fossils. I have several sets of boxes
that all nest together and are easy to carry. Matchboxes, film cans,
jewelry boxes, etc. are all good for small delicate fossils.
ZIPLOCK BAGS - Nothing is easier for holding fossils in the field. Sandwich
size and smaller are all good. Lapidary suppliers will carry a variety of
sizes. I have found that three inch square bags are the most useful for
Paleozoic invertebrates. In addition I carry some sandwich size for larger
fossils and gallon size for grouping smaller bags.
* NEWSPAPER - For wrapping fossils there is nothing easier. Carry about one
or two days worth. Paper bags and bubble wrap are also good but bulkier.
Some folks also take masking tape or rubber bands but these are not usually
needed when the specimens are stuffed into a pack or cloth bag.
FILM - Black and white or color. Either are fine, although color will
obviously give you more information. Always have a back-up roll.
CONSOLIDANTS - There is now a variety of materials available for
reinforcing or preserving specimens that can be used in the field.
Superglues(cyanoacrylates) come in various consistencies. You should have a
bottle of solvent with you if you use cyanoacrylate for safety's sake.
Water soluble glues such as Elmers will do in a pinch. Commercial products
such as PaleoBond or Butvar are also available. Do not use shellac!
JACKETING MATERIALS - If you are to be collecting fragile vertebrate
fossils you will need plaster and all of the other associated materials.
this is an area that I have no real experience with and you should refer to
the more advanced literature for info on what is the best materials and
methods. Collecting vertebrates is a whole different gig than
invertebrates and you should be well prepared and knowledgeable of the
techniques needed before attempting to extricate fragile material. In
addition vertebrate fossils are often covered by laws that prohibit or
limit their collecting on government lands.
REFERENCES - FIELDGUIDES AND MAPS:
TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS - Available from the United States Geologic Survey(USGS).
7.5' quadrangle sheets at 1:24,000 scale are the most useful. You can
order them directly from the USGS or buy them at map stores.
* ROAD MAPS - A good county or state map for finding current road or place
names. This is needed to compliment the 7.5' topos since they often do not
include recent roads, quarries or place names.
GEOLOGIC HIGHWAY MAPS - These are available on a state or regional scale
from the American Association of Petroleum Geologists(AAPG) in Tulsa,
Oklahoma and can be ordered directly from them or through many science
supply companies.
LOCAL GEO MAPS - If you can find one for the area you are collecting in
then take it with you. These can be found through many state geo surveys or
the USGS.
FIELD GUIDES - Although you do not always need to identify a specimen in
the field it does help sometimes to be able to look up a specimen in order
to check that it fits the formation or age.
GUIDE BOOKS - Many state geo surveys as well as professional societies
publish guidebooks. These are often collections of field trips based around
that year's meeting and feature road logs with mileage, descriptions of
geologic and paleontologic features encountered and up-to-date nomenclature
for the subject of the trip. These can be one of the best sources for sites
and information since they often showcase some of the most current work
being done. FIRST-AID AND COMFORT:
* FIRST-AID KIT - A small travel kit like those made for hikers is
essential. It is very easy to cut or bash your hands when digging around in
rocks. Being able to clean, disinfect and bandage a cut on site can prevent
a nasty infection later. Alcohol wipes, first-aid cream and Band-Aids will
handle most injuries. Many kits also contain a roll of gauze, tape,
scissors, etc..
* PAIN RELIEVER(ASPIRIN) - A headache in the field can ruin a day.
SNAKE BITE KIT - Available from camping stores this is important if you are
in poisonous snake territory. Note that there is still much controversy on
how to treat a snake bite. If you work in areas with poisonous snakes then
take the time to learn a little about what to do. Consult your local Red
Cross for information on the preferred first-aid.
BUG REPELLENT - With the increase in Lyme disease this has become a
necessity. You need something with at least 50% DEET for ticks, but be easy
with the stuff since it is toxic.
SUN SCREEN - Ever really fry the back of your neck while crouching over the
rock all day?
TOILET PAPER - A small amount rolled up and kept dry in a ziplock.
* PONCHO or EMERGENCY BLANKET - You can buy small disposable ponchos or
foil blankets to keep you dry in a storm. They come folded up about the
size of a wallet and stow easily in the bottom of your pack. Remember many
people die of hypothermia each year and this is often when the temperature
is over 50 degrees. All you need is something to keep you dry and thus
prevent the loose of body heat.
* SAFETY GLASSES & GLOVES - When chiseling or hammering in hard rock you
must protect your eyes and hands. Safety glasses come in a variety of
sizes and shapes and it is easy to find a comfortable fit. Many quarries
and clubs require safety glasses and sometimes hard boots.
HAT - If you are working in bright sun a wide brim hat is the easiest way
to protect your head and neck from sunburn and cut down on glare. Combine
it with a cotton bandanna to keep the sweat out of your eyes and you are
all set. I actually recommend stuffing a few extra bandannas into your pack
or pockets since they are very versatile.
EXTRA CLOTHES - Dry socks, shirt and pants. I don't carry these with me in
the field but I do keep them in the car in case I want to change before a
long drive home.
* WATER - If you are going into any sort of remote area always take water.
A one quart canteen or water bottle is often enough. You can also carry a
small bottle with you and keep a gallon jug in the car as refill.
FOOD/SNACKS - If you are out for the whole day you need to eat. If you are
carrying it with you take things that don't spoil in the sun & heat, no use
getting sick over a spoiled sandwich. Fruit and bread are good. Don't
overload on sugar. I will pack a small cooler with food and drink and
leave it in the car if I know I will be parked near the site. Taking a
break and having a nice picnic at mid day will make for a much more
pleasant experience and it is a good time to make notes in the fieldbook
and double check any references you brought with you.
Being well prepared when going fossil hunting can help make for an even
more enjoyable day of collecting. Having the proper stuff for the area you
are exploring will make for a safer and more productive adventure. You
always want to bring back good memories as well as good fossils.
BOOKS ON FOSSILS AND COLLECTING:
Converse, H.H., Jr., 1984 (2nd printing revised by R. McCarty, 1989),
Handbook of Paleo-Preparation Techniques, Florida Paleontological Society,
Inc., Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, Florida
Cvancara, A.M., 1985, A Field Manual for the Amateur Geologist,
Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ
Cvancara, A.M., 1990, Sleuthing Fossils: the Art of Investigating Past Life,
Wiley Science Editions, NY
Dixon, D., 1992, The Practical Geologist, Simon & Schuster / Fireside, NY
Goldring, W., 1950, 2nd ed., Handbook of Paleontology for Beginners and
Amateurs: Part I, The Fossils, Paleontological Research Institution,
Ithaca, NY
Goldring, R., 1991, Fossils in the Field, Information Potential and
Analysis, Longman Scientific and Technical
Lichter, G., 1986, engl. trans. 1993, Fossil Collector's Handbook,
Sterling, New York
MacFall, R.P., 1963, Collecting Rocks, Minerals, Gems and Fossils, Hawthorn, NY
MacFall, R.P. and Wollin, J.C., 1983, rev'd. ed., Fossils for Amateurs, Van
Nostrand Reinhold, NY
Matthews, W.H., III, 1960, Texas Fossils: an Amateur Collector's Handbook,
guidebook no. 2, Texas Bureau of Economic Geology, Austin, TX
Mayr, H., 1985, A Guide to Fossils, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ
Moody, R., 1986, Macmillan Field Guide to Fossils, Macmillan
Murray, M., 1967, Hunting for Fossils, Macmillan, NY
Parker, S., 1990, The Practical Paleontologist, Simon and Schuster, NY
Pellant, C. and Phillips, R., 1990, Rocks, Minerals and Fossils of the
World, Little Brown, Boston
Thomas, M.C., 1968, Fossil Vertebrates: Beach and Bank Collecting for
Amateurs, Florida Paleontological Society, Florida Museum of Natural
History, Gainesville, Florida
Thompson, I., 1982, The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American
Fossils, Alfred A. Knopf, NY
Walker, C. and Ward, D., 1992, Fossils(Eyewitness Handbook), Dorling
Kindersley, inc., NY
West, R.M., 1991, State Regulation of Geological, Paleontological and
Archaeological Collecting, American Museum of Natural History, NY
MAPS AND GEOLOGIC LITERATURE:
American Association of Petroleum Geologists(AAPG)
Geological Society of America
U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Geological Survey
EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS:
Many of these items or their equivalents can be found in your local
hardware store or a good military surplus dealer.
If you are lucky enough to have a good rock shop or lapidary supply dealer
in your area try them for many of the items.
The following two commercial suppliers have many of the items listed above:
Carolina Biological Supply Company
Forestry Suppliers, Inc.
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P.O. Box 797
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74101
P.O. Box 1719
Boulder, Colorado 80302
(800) 472-1988, (303) 447-2020
Map Distribution
Federal Center, Box 25286
Denver, Colorado 80225
(303) 236-7477
Books and Open File Reports Section
Federal Center, Box 25425
Denver, Colorado 80225
(303) 236-7476
2700 York Road
Burlington, NC 27215
(800) 334-5551
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Jackson, MS 39284-8397
(800) 752-8460
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