The Fossil Code

01 · THE FOSSIL CODE

Plan before you go

Research the location, its access arrangements, terrain and collecting rules before setting out. Read the guide’s directions and safety advice, and ask a local museum, visitor centre or geology group if you are unsure.

Check the weather and, on the coast, local tide times and your return route. Allow a generous margin to get back safely. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return; mobile reception may be unreliable.

02 · THE FOSSIL CODE

Check permissions and local rules

Access to a footpath, beach or open land does not automatically give permission to remove fossils. Establish the landowner’s permission and any separate fossil or mineral rights, and follow current signs, local bylaws and collecting codes.

Protected sites, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), can have particular restrictions and consent requirements. Check with the site manager and relevant conservation body before collecting. Rules differ between places and countries; do not assume that permission at one site applies elsewhere.

Where collecting is permitted, favour a few naturally loose specimens. Do not dig into cliffs, hammer bedrock or use power tools unless the activity is expressly authorised and any required consents are in place. If permission is unclear, observe and photograph instead.

03 · THE FOSSIL CODE

Put safety first

Keep away from cliff edges, cliff bases, fresh falls, unstable slopes and soft mud. Rockfalls can happen without warning. Do not climb cliffs, enter unsafe workings or cross hazardous ground to reach a fossil. A helmet does not make an unsafe cliff safe.

Watch for rising tides, rough seas, slippery rocks and unstable boulders. Keep a safe return route, supervise children closely and leave if conditions become unsafe.

Wear sturdy footwear and suitable clothing, and carry water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit. Tools are often unnecessary. Where striking loose rock is permitted, use suitable eye protection and keep everyone nearby clear of flying fragments.

04 · THE FOSSIL CODE

Protect finds in the field

Fossils can be fragile. Wrap permitted finds separately in tissue, paper or padding, and use small padded boxes for delicate specimens. Keep any matching fragments together.

Avoid sudden drying or repeated wetting of specimens from clay or shale. Keep them stable during transport and ask for conservation advice before cleaning, applying chemicals or attempting repairs.

05 · THE FOSSIL CODE

Record the details

A fossil’s scientific value depends on knowing where it came from. Where safe, photograph it in place and record the location, date, rock type and geological formation or bed if known. Note whether it was loose or embedded.

Keep a label or digital record with each specimen and its photographs. Record locations accurately for scientific use, but avoid publicly sharing sensitive sites or private access details. Do not put yourself at risk to obtain a photograph or position.

06 · THE FOSSIL CODE

Report significant discoveries

If you find something unusual, exceptionally preserved or potentially important, photograph it, record its position and contact a local museum, site warden or relevant specialist. Do not attempt a difficult excavation yourself.

Follow any local recording scheme, including its requirements for important finds. For identification help, share clear photographs, a scale and appropriate location details with UK Fossils or the Discuss Fossils community.

07 · THE FOSSIL CODE

Care for your collection

Store specimens securely, away from damp, direct sunlight and extreme changes in temperature. Support delicate parts, avoid stacking fragile pieces and keep labels with their fossils.

Seek specialist advice before preparing or consolidating valuable or fragile material. If you can no longer care for a collection, discuss suitable long-term arrangements with a museum or knowledgeable collector so its records and scientific value are preserved.

08 · THE FOSSIL CODE

Leave the place well

Collect modestly where allowed, leave common fossils for others and never damage an exposure to fill a bag. Large, embedded or difficult specimens may be better left in place for expert advice.

Take litter home, respect wildlife and vegetation, use established access routes and leave gates as you find them. Do not undermine slopes, disturb archaeological remains or create hazards. Respect other visitors, residents and landowners.