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PLAN: Always research the area before your visit and plan to bring the
correct tools and protective equipment. You'll find a range of
information online, but you should also consider consulting a local
geology group, or visiting a local library prior to your visit. Pay
particular attention to the tools required to remove and protect
specimens. For more information about equipment
click here. In some areas fossil collecting is prohibited. Check
if permission is required before visiting.
SAFETY: The nature of fossil collecting means some locations can be
extremely dangerous. Before visiting a location it's highly
advisable to research the potential dangers and necessary
precautions. Remember to bring the correct safety equipment to
protect yourself, people under your care and other people in the
vicinity. Do not take risks, be aware of local conditions such as
tides and keep away from the base of the cliff. For more safety
information
click here.
PATIENCE: Fossil collecting requires a great deal of patience. By
researching the area before your visit, you'll hopefully have the
tools and equipment required to collect specimens without damaging
them. Be patient and take your time. Remember, preparation
should take place at home. When ever possible remove the specimen
along with a little of the surrounding rock (matrix) for protection
and context. If you
make an important discovery and do not have the correct equipment,
or the find is too large, do not risk destroying the fossil, contact
your local museum or Discovering Fossils for help and assistance.
RESPECT: Your initial planning should reveal the circumstances in which
you may collect fossils. In many areas collecting goes unregulated
and is therefore the sole responsibility of the collector to respect
the environment. In other areas there may be rules that govern
collecting. Please accept, understand and obey any SSSI rules, they
are there to protect the geology for future generations. For more
information about SSSIs
click here.
REPORT: It's important that new and significant finds are reported to the
scientific community to provide an opportunity for them to be
studied. We would also encourage you to report important finds to
your local museum or Discovering Fossils. If you wish to send us a
picture of your finds, please
email us.
PROTECT: Fossils are often fragile or vulnerable to damage if the
necessary steps aren't taken to protect them. There are two aspects
to protecting your finds - in the field and at home. In the field you should bring a plentiful supply of
foam or newspaper to wrap finds. You
should also try and prevent them from drying out (if wet), as
soaking them at a later stage could cause fractures; a plastic bag will usually do the job. Once at home you should store
the fossils in a safe place away from direct sunlight.
LEAVE: Not every fossil should be removed from its location. In some instances
it may be too large to move, or would break in the attempt; it may also be
illegal to remove fossils. We strongly recommend that you consider leaving
the fossil for other people to see and learn from. Likewise, you should only
collect a small number of specimens to allow others the opportunity to
discover them too.
Join us on a fossil hunt
Left: A birthday party with
a twist - fossil hunting at
Peacehaven.
Right: A family hold their prized ammonite at Beachy Head.
Discovering Fossils guided fossil hunts reveal evidence of life that
existed millions of years ago. Whether it's your first time fossil
hunting or you're looking to expand your subject knowledge, our fossil
hunts provide an enjoyable and educational experience for all. To find
out more
CLICK HERE
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FOSSILS