Fossil specimen archive
Fossil and bone identification for real collecting trips.
Browse 696 specimens with era context, field ID clues, likely regions, and collecting signals that help before you split rock or plan a fossil stop.
Inside this directory
696
specimen pages
fossils and bone finds
60
ID key routes
decision trees and narrowing paths
600
monthly lanes
timing by month and state
600 monthly guides
Plan by month
Use the timing layer when conditions and water levels matter as much as specimen type.
60 ID keys
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Open identification keys and comparison routes before you assume the exact specimen.
450 short answers
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Move through state rules and collecting areas before you plan around restricted ground.
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All fossil specimens
Filter by names, eras, seasons, regions, and descriptors without losing the planning routes that matter once the trip becomes real.
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696 matching entries
Iowa Trilobite
arthropod
Trilobite is a realistic Iowa fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Silurian and Devonian limestones, shale cuts, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Illinois Trilobite
arthropod
Trilobite is a realistic Illinois fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Silurian and Devonian limestones, shale cuts, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Indiana Trilobite
arthropod
Trilobite is a realistic Indiana fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Silurian and Devonian limestones, shale cuts, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Ohio Trilobite
arthropod
Trilobite is a realistic Ohio fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Silurian and Devonian limestones, shale cuts, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Pennsylvania Trilobite
arthropod
Trilobite is a realistic Pennsylvania fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Devonian shales, Mississippian limestones, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
West Virginia Trilobite
arthropod
Trilobite is a realistic West Virginia fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Devonian shales, Mississippian limestones, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Kentucky Trilobite
arthropod
Trilobite is a realistic Kentucky fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Devonian shales, Mississippian limestones, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
New York Trilobite
arthropod
Trilobite is a realistic New York fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Devonian shales, glacial gravels, and coastal shell beds, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
New Jersey Trilobite
arthropod
Trilobite is a realistic New Jersey fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Devonian shales, glacial gravels, and coastal shell beds, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Virginia Trilobite
arthropod
Trilobite is a realistic Virginia fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning roadcuts through limestone and shale, coal spoils, and stream gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
North Carolina Trilobite
arthropod
Trilobite is a realistic North Carolina fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning roadcuts through limestone and shale, coal spoils, and stream gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Tennessee Trilobite
arthropod
Trilobite is a realistic Tennessee fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning roadcuts through limestone and shale, coal spoils, and stream gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Arkansas Trilobite
arthropod
Trilobite is a realistic Arkansas fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Mississippian limestones, chert gravels, and shale roadcuts, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Missouri Trilobite
arthropod
Trilobite is a realistic Missouri fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Mississippian limestones, chert gravels, and shale roadcuts, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Oklahoma Trilobite
arthropod
Trilobite is a realistic Oklahoma fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Mississippian limestones, chert gravels, and shale roadcuts, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Minnesota Trilobite
arthropod
Trilobite is a realistic Minnesota fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning glacial till, Devonian limestones, and Lake Superior gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Wisconsin Trilobite
arthropod
Trilobite is a realistic Wisconsin fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning glacial till, Devonian limestones, and Lake Superior gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Michigan Trilobite
arthropod
Trilobite is a realistic Michigan fossil profile built around segmented marine arthropod preserved in shale or limestone from ancient inland seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning glacial till, Devonian limestones, and Lake Superior gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Iowa Isotelus Trilobite
arthropod
Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic Iowa fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning Silurian and Devonian limestones, shale cuts, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Illinois Isotelus Trilobite
arthropod
Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic Illinois fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning Silurian and Devonian limestones, shale cuts, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Indiana Isotelus Trilobite
arthropod
Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic Indiana fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning Silurian and Devonian limestones, shale cuts, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Ohio Isotelus Trilobite
arthropod
Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic Ohio fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning Silurian and Devonian limestones, shale cuts, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Minnesota Isotelus Trilobite
arthropod
Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic Minnesota fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning glacial till, Devonian limestones, and Lake Superior gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Wisconsin Isotelus Trilobite
arthropod
Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic Wisconsin fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning glacial till, Devonian limestones, and Lake Superior gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Michigan Isotelus Trilobite
arthropod
Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic Michigan fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning glacial till, Devonian limestones, and Lake Superior gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Pennsylvania Isotelus Trilobite
arthropod
Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic Pennsylvania fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning Devonian shales, Mississippian limestones, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
West Virginia Isotelus Trilobite
arthropod
Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic West Virginia fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning Devonian shales, Mississippian limestones, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Kentucky Isotelus Trilobite
arthropod
Isotelus Trilobite is a realistic Kentucky fossil profile built around large trilobite often found as enrolled sections in limestone and weathered talus. In this state, success usually comes from learning Devonian shales, Mississippian limestones, and glacial gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Colorado Elrathia Trilobite
arthropod
Elrathia Trilobite is a realistic Colorado fossil profile built around small shale trilobite famous from thin laminated western exposures. In this state, success usually comes from learning Morrison outcrops, Green River beds, and uplifted marine limestones, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Utah Elrathia Trilobite
arthropod
Elrathia Trilobite is a realistic Utah fossil profile built around small shale trilobite famous from thin laminated western exposures. In this state, success usually comes from learning Morrison outcrops, Green River beds, and uplifted marine limestones, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Arizona Elrathia Trilobite
arthropod
Elrathia Trilobite is a realistic Arizona fossil profile built around small shale trilobite famous from thin laminated western exposures. In this state, success usually comes from learning badlands mudstones, petrified wood flats, and playa margins, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Nevada Elrathia Trilobite
arthropod
Elrathia Trilobite is a realistic Nevada fossil profile built around small shale trilobite famous from thin laminated western exposures. In this state, success usually comes from learning badlands mudstones, petrified wood flats, and playa margins, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
New Mexico Elrathia Trilobite
arthropod
Elrathia Trilobite is a realistic New Mexico fossil profile built around small shale trilobite famous from thin laminated western exposures. In this state, success usually comes from learning badlands mudstones, petrified wood flats, and playa margins, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Montana Elrathia Trilobite
arthropod
Elrathia Trilobite is a realistic Montana fossil profile built around small shale trilobite famous from thin laminated western exposures. In this state, success usually comes from learning dinosaur-bearing mudstones, glacial gravels, and marine shales, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Idaho Elrathia Trilobite
arthropod
Elrathia Trilobite is a realistic Idaho fossil profile built around small shale trilobite famous from thin laminated western exposures. In this state, success usually comes from learning dinosaur-bearing mudstones, glacial gravels, and marine shales, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Wyoming Elrathia Trilobite
arthropod
Elrathia Trilobite is a realistic Wyoming fossil profile built around small shale trilobite famous from thin laminated western exposures. In this state, success usually comes from learning dinosaur-bearing mudstones, glacial gravels, and marine shales, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
North Dakota Ammonite
cephalopod
Ammonite is a realistic North Dakota fossil profile built around coiled marine shell with complex sutures from warm Cretaceous seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning chalk beds, badlands mudstones, and river gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
South Dakota Ammonite
cephalopod
Ammonite is a realistic South Dakota fossil profile built around coiled marine shell with complex sutures from warm Cretaceous seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning chalk beds, badlands mudstones, and river gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Nebraska Ammonite
cephalopod
Ammonite is a realistic Nebraska fossil profile built around coiled marine shell with complex sutures from warm Cretaceous seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning chalk beds, badlands mudstones, and river gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Kansas Ammonite
cephalopod
Ammonite is a realistic Kansas fossil profile built around coiled marine shell with complex sutures from warm Cretaceous seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning chalk beds, badlands mudstones, and river gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Oklahoma Ammonite
cephalopod
Ammonite is a realistic Oklahoma fossil profile built around coiled marine shell with complex sutures from warm Cretaceous seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning chalk beds, badlands mudstones, and river gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Montana Ammonite
cephalopod
Ammonite is a realistic Montana fossil profile built around coiled marine shell with complex sutures from warm Cretaceous seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning dinosaur-bearing mudstones, glacial gravels, and marine shales, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Idaho Ammonite
cephalopod
Ammonite is a realistic Idaho fossil profile built around coiled marine shell with complex sutures from warm Cretaceous seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning dinosaur-bearing mudstones, glacial gravels, and marine shales, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Wyoming Ammonite
cephalopod
Ammonite is a realistic Wyoming fossil profile built around coiled marine shell with complex sutures from warm Cretaceous seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning dinosaur-bearing mudstones, glacial gravels, and marine shales, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Colorado Ammonite
cephalopod
Ammonite is a realistic Colorado fossil profile built around coiled marine shell with complex sutures from warm Cretaceous seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Morrison outcrops, Green River beds, and uplifted marine limestones, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Utah Ammonite
cephalopod
Ammonite is a realistic Utah fossil profile built around coiled marine shell with complex sutures from warm Cretaceous seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning Morrison outcrops, Green River beds, and uplifted marine limestones, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Florida Ammonite
cephalopod
Ammonite is a realistic Florida fossil profile built around coiled marine shell with complex sutures from warm Cretaceous seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning phosphate pits, shell hash beaches, and river gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Alabama Ammonite
cephalopod
Ammonite is a realistic Alabama fossil profile built around coiled marine shell with complex sutures from warm Cretaceous seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning phosphate pits, shell hash beaches, and river gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Mississippi Ammonite
cephalopod
Ammonite is a realistic Mississippi fossil profile built around coiled marine shell with complex sutures from warm Cretaceous seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning phosphate pits, shell hash beaches, and river gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Louisiana Ammonite
cephalopod
Ammonite is a realistic Louisiana fossil profile built around coiled marine shell with complex sutures from warm Cretaceous seas. In this state, success usually comes from learning phosphate pits, shell hash beaches, and river gravels, then timing runoff, reservoir drawdown, surf cuts, or road work that exposes fresh fossil-bearing rock instead of hunting blindly.
Showing 50 of 696 matching entries
State entry points
States where the fossils graph is already deep.
Local scouting lanes
Metro guides that push the archive into nearby trip planning.
Phoenix, Arizona
18 guide pages • November, December, February
Elrathia Trilobite, Dinosaur Bone Fragment, Dromaeosaur Tooth
Los Angeles, California
18 guide pages • March, April, October
Bivalve Shell Fossil, Gastropod Shell Fossil, Shark Tooth
San Diego, California
18 guide pages • March, April, October
Bivalve Shell Fossil, Gastropod Shell Fossil, Shark Tooth
San Francisco, California
18 guide pages • March, April, October
Bivalve Shell Fossil, Gastropod Shell Fossil, Shark Tooth
Field questions
Is it legal to collect fossils on public land?
Fossil collecting on public land is controlled by the agency that manages the land and by the type of fossil involved. In the United States, casual collecting of some common invertebrate and plant fossils may be allowed in certain places, while vertebrate fossils and many protected park units are strictly off limits without a permit. The correct working rule is that land status comes first. You should know whether you are on National Park Service land, BLM land, state park land, tribal land, or private property before you touch the specimen.
Read the short answerField questions
Can you collect fossils in national parks?
No. In U.S. national parks, collecting fossils is generally prohibited. National Park Service policy treats fossils as protected scientific resources, which means visitors can enjoy them in place but should not remove them. The right action is to photograph the find, note the location as precisely as park rules allow, and tell park staff if the specimen appears significant. A national park is the clearest example of a place where discovery does not equal permission to keep.
Read the short answerField questions
How can you tell if a fossil is real?
A real fossil usually shows repeated biological structure, consistent mineral replacement or preservation, and a believable relationship to the surrounding matrix. It should not look randomly decorative in only one spot. Real shells keep patterned ribbing and symmetry, real bone often shows internal pore structure, and petrified wood preserves grain or growth-ring logic. The reliable standard is not one magic test but a combination of structure, hardness, context, and whether the specimen makes geologic sense for the site where it was found.
Read the short answerTroveRadar app companion
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