Finding Fossils

Palaeontology is the study of fossilized remains and traces of ancient plants and animals. Where a fossil is found is often as important as the fossil itself. Fossils, together with associated geological and biological evidence, help palaeontologists reconstruct the past and expand our knowledge of Alberta's natural heritage.

How Fossils are Collected

Dinosaurs don't find you, you have to find them. Sometimes you get lucky and stumble across a spectacular find when you least expect it. But usually, finding a dinosaur and digging it up is a long, hard job.

Collectors spend hours hiking along the badlands along the Red Deer River, scanning the rock strata for fragments of bone.

When a specimen is found, collectors dig around it. They use jackhammers, picks and shovels to remove overlying rock. Sometimes, dynamite blasts away hard rock. Closer to the specimen, more delicate tools are used.

Stabilizers are applied to the fossil to keep it from falling apart. A jacket made up of layers of burlap and plaster of paris is wrapped around the exposed specimen. A trench is dug around the fossil, the block is flipped over, and the bottom is also jacketed.

Wrapped in their protective jackets, fossils are transported to the Museum's labs, where they will be prepared and carefully studied.

Protecting Alberta's Fossil Heritage

Palaeontological resources are irreplaceable. Alberta's palaeontological resources were included under the protection of the Historical Resources Act in 1978. All fossils in the province were declared the property of the Crown in right of Alberta.

Individuals may claim ownership for fossils collected before July 5, 1978 by registering the collection with the Royal Tyrrell Museum by December 31, 1993.

In 1987, an amendment to the Act established a Control List allowing responsible trade of certain fossil resources. These fossils were determined to have limited research value and were abundant within the province.

Fossil Collection

There are two different ways to collect fossils: surface collecting and excavating. Surface collecting refers to finding isolated fossils clearly on the surface of the ground. Excavating refers to the dislodging, in any manner, of fossils that are imbedded or buried in the ground or rock face.

Surface collection is permitted on private land with the landowner's permission and on Crown land. It is not permitted in Provincial or National Parks. Collectors may keep surface finds but ownership resided with the province of Alberta, making it illegal to sell or remove such fossils from the province without an approved Disposition Certificate. Offences under the are punishable by fines and/or prison sentences.

Fossil excavation requires a Permit to Excavate which is acquired through the Royal Tyrrell Museum. Private ownership of fossils appearing on the Control List is not automatic. An approved Disposition Certificate must be obtained before the transfer of ownership is complete.

This document was prepared by Wayne Hortensius, Calgary, Alberta, Canada for the Royal Tyrrell Museum Cooperating Society. All information © 1995 Royal Tyrrell Museum. All Rights Reserved.
Updated: July 21, 1995

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