Finding and Collecting Fossils with the CFDC

Have you ever wondered how paleontologists find and collect fossils? Read on to find out!

By Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Bentonite (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Prospecting

The first step is knowing where to look. Fossils are usually found in sedimentary rock such as shale, limestone, and sandstone. In the Morden area, many fossils are found in shale, which has conveniently been exposed by later glacial activity.

Dr. Nicholls in the Field (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Mining

Sometimes, fossils are found during mining operations. Many of the CFDC's fossils were found during bentonite mining in the 1970s-1980s. When a machine struck a fossil, the operators would pause their work so museum staff and students could quickly excavate the specimen.

Surface Collecting (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Surface Collecting

If erosion has exposed the right area, fossils can also be found on the surface. However, this is quite rare!

Clearing the Overburden (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Getting to the Fossils

Most of the time, we need to use machines or tools to remove the overburden - soil that has built up on the area where fossils are found.

Excavating with Machinery (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Digging Deeper

Machinery is also used to dig pits or trenches to help palaeontologists identify which areas might contain fossils.

Excavation, Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, 2022, From the collection of: Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Excavating With Small Tools, Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, 2022, From the collection of: Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Show lessRead more

Once a suitable area has been identified, pickaxes, shovels, rakes, and other large tools are used to clear away the soil and uncover the fossils. Smaller tools such as trowels and brushes are used to get at the finer details. This step is performed in layers so that we can tell which fossils are associated, and which time period they are from.

Mapping (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Context is Important

Before anything is removed, the site is mapped and notes are made about the surrounding area. This is one of the most important steps, because it provides so much information about where and how animals lived. If you find a fossil yourself, please write down everything you can!

Measuring Tools (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Mapping

Paleontologists use a variety of tools to map the area where fossils are found, including both low-tech tools like a grid and tape measure, and high-tech tools like GPS.

Field Diagram (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Field Diagrams

Maps and diagrams help paleontologists understand how different fossils are related to each other and their surroundings. That's why both fossils and geological features are included in this diagram.

In-Situ Photograph - Hesperornis Femur, Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, 2022, From the collection of: Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre

In-Situ Photograph - Fish Vertebra, Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, 2022, From the collection of: Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre

In-Situ Photograph - Fish, Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, 2022, From the collection of: Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Show lessRead more

Each specimen is also photographed in-situ (in place) to help us remember how the fossils were arranged.

Analyzing Fossil Finds (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Removing Small Fossils

If a fossil is small enough, it can be removed by hand, labelled, and bagged on-site.

Excavation of Betsy (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Removing Large Fossils

Larger fossils need to be removed in sections but kept together. The first step is to create a trench around the entire area.

The Field Jacket (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Creating a Field Jacket

Next, strips of burlap and plaster are used to create a 'field jacket' to cover the fossil. Some larger specimens may require more than one field jacket, and can even take multiple seasons to uncover and remove.

Removing the Field Jacket (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Removing the Field Jacket

Once the plaster has dried, the field jacket can safely be removed, either by hand...

Using Machinery to Remove Field Jackets (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre

...or using a machine

Heavy machinery is used when a field jacket is too heavy to lift by hand. The plaster protects the fragile fossil during transportation.

Finding Microfossils (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Preparation and Analysis

Once the fossils reach the museum, they are cleaned, prepared, analyzed, and catalogued.

Research (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Research

Next, palaeontologists and other researchers come from all over the world to help us understand more about the fossils we have excavated.

Bruce the Mosasaur (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Exhibits

In addition to research, many of the fossils that palaeontologists and enthusiasts excavate are also displayed at the CFDC to help the public learn more about this fascinating period in Manitoba's prehistory.

Field Station (2022) by Canadian Fossil Discovery CentreCanadian Fossil Discovery Centre

What will we find next?

The CFDC is opening a new field station in 2023, allowing us to continue finding new fossils every year. We've only scratched the surface so far. Head to our website and find out how you can help!

Credits: Story

Find out how you can help us excavate fossils: Discover Fossils

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Stories from Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Online Exhibit