For the novice fossil seeker
All beginnings are difficult. Even if you want to start a new hobby.
This page has been started to help new fossil hobbyists. It's not the only site so take a look at other clubs or fossil sites (for example on the Links page ) .
Reference is made to various documents and books for members to use.
What do you need to start looking
Not much at first, but a few items are important for safety:
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Safety shoes (it really happens that large stones roll down)
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(Safety) glasses (splinter in heels is very normal and they are sharp!)
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(Geologists) hammer (buy a good one, which does not give metal splinters when chopping, you will have a lot of fun with a good hammer, choose the right weight: 850 grams is standard)
You can also think of:
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Chisel (again: buy a good one)
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Aluminum foil (for wrapping sometimes brittle finds)
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(Super) glue (if a find is too brittle, quick fix)
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Helmet (often required in quarries)
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Yellow vest (often mandatory in quarries)
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Sieve (2 or 5 mm is useful)
Where can you buy this: for example, look under Links , at item stores .
Where can you search
That's harder. A number of search locations are freely accessible. But permission is required for the really nice locations. You can arrange that yourself, but by joining a club this is often done for you. See for example the previous excursion of the WFW or currently planned .
A special page with search locations is available for WFW members. But there is also a lot to be found on the Paleontica site. Furthermore, old tour guides help (for WFW members, see what's available in the library ).
And of course you can ask others.
For example, freely accessible:
the Maasvlakte
the beach at Cadzand
the quarry in Faxe, Denmark
Several beaches in Denmark, France, Germany
Also have a look on youtube:
Help with preparation
After searching, you want to make the finds as beautiful as possible. That is usually necessary. Now, this is best learned by doing. Pick a not nice find and try it.
If you want to read more beforehand or in the meantime, take a look at (details can be found in the Library ):
Practical guide to fossils by Anne Schulp
Paleontology course from the WFW
Making the preparation area of Ed van der Wal
Sanding and polishing by B. Moes
Cleaning with KOH from G. Bernard
Surface treatment agents from Thomas Billert
Der Petrefaktensammler by E. Fraas
Handbuch des Fossiliensammlers by E. Richter
Or search the various sites that offer help with this via Links .
Also have a look on youtube:
Literature for beginners
For example, look at (details can be found in the Library ):
Practical guide to fossils by Anne Schulp
Paleontology course from the WFW
various Fossil Encyclopedias
Introduction identifying the WFW
Introduction to fossilization
Know about food
Introduction to marine micropaleontology
Landscape due to weathering and erosion
But of course there is much more to be found on the internet, take a look under Links .
Also have a look on youtube:
Help from others
Of course you can do everything yourself, search, read, prepare and determine. But it's much more fun to do it together with others. Not only to share a hobby and talk about it, but also to learn from each other. The best advice is to join a fossil club near you.
At the WFW you have access to a lot of literature (books to borrow, or articles, presentations and guides to download), you can attend (online) lectures, you can participate in the WhatsApp group and go on various excursions. Take advantage of the knowledge of other members.
What do you need to know, what knowledge do you need?
Actually...none. Most importantly: interest & enthusiasm .
Of course, if you want to do more with your collection, you also need to know more, which fossils exist, how do I find a name, how do I prepare. You simply gain that knowledge in practice. It's that simple. Of course you can do that on your own, but it is much more fun (and smarter) to join a club that allows you to use the knowledge of others. For example, from the Wageningen Fossils Working Group . But there are more clubs, possibly one closer to where you live. Have a look at the Links page. Whatever you are going to do, this page will try to help you as much as possible.
Have fun with your new hobby!
How do I make a good plan for searching for fossils? A step-by-step guide.
1. Choose your search location.
View the search locations on the WFW website. Has there already been an excursion? Then there will be more information there.
On the Paleontica site, you will find hundreds of locations in Europe with recent updates from collectors.
2. Gather existing information
Check the WFW library (excursion guides, old reports, documentation).
Look under documents/downloads on the website. There you will also find a list of old GEA search locations.
Use keywords for:
fossil types (e.g. crabs, ammonites, shells),
regions (e.g. Normandy, Eifel, Ault),
era (e.g. Jurassic).
3. Check information from other clubs
Many clubs in the United Kingdom and Europe organise excursions to the same areas.
Check the map of Fossil Clubs in Europe to see if a club already has information online.
4. Search for additional information on the internet
Google: “(location) fossils”, “(place) geology”, “fossils (country)”, etc.
Use internet links on the WFW site to quickly access reliable sources.
5. Country-specific sources
France
Geological maps and old quarries → see here.
Under Documents>presentations you will find a short guide by Jose Aker from 2021.
Book: Guide des fossiles de France (very useful), read more here.
More info about ebb/flow times → look here.
Germany
Geological maps → look here or here.
England
Information about tides → see here (you may need to log in to the website a month in advance)
6. Check whether you are allowed to search
Not every location is open to the public.
Always ask the owner or site manager for permission if necessary.
Check whether the area is subject to regulations such as: nature reserve, private property, protected geological site.
7. Make your own plan
Combine all the information you have gathered and determine:
Exact location(s)
Best time (ebb/flow, season, weather)
Necessary equipment (hammer, chisel, safety equipment, boots)
Risks (falling rocks, slippery ground, tide)
Permission/rules (the board sometimes has contact details)
Travel and parking details
What you want to find (fossil type → often determines which location is suitable)
8. Extra: use WFW experience
Search the WFW excursion guides and old excursion reports.
Ask in the WFW app if anyone has experience with your location.
Sometimes members have GPS points, tips or recent photos.