While artifact and fossil collecting is illegal on public lands, it is not unlawful on private property as long as permission is granted by the landowner. It is the responsibility of the collector to know who owns the land, to understand the laws that apply, and to obtain permission to enter private property. We do encourage you to take an active part in preserving Texas' heritage for future generations by adopting a "look but don't touch" approach to appreciating archeology.

ANSWER: No, in SC only persons who collect fossils while diving or below the mean low tide point require a special permit. However if a river, creek or stream you are hunting is influenced by the tide, you require a Hobby Dovers License to collect fossil

They are in the top right hand corner of the desert, you get a choice of either the Claw or the Root fossil.

ANSWER: The majority of locations we visit are tidal or influenced by rainfall. In general, the water depth will not exceed past the knee on an average size adult.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has a responsibility for ensuring that properties of a cultural, historical, or traditional nature located on Corps lands are preserved and managed appropriately. Removal of any artifact, prehistoric or historic, from Federal lands is a violation of both Federal regulations and Federal law. Conviction for digging for artifacts can result in both substantial financial penalty which could be as much as a $250,000.00 and incarceration of up to five years.

It all depends on where you're going and what you plan to collect. Some fossils may be effortlessly picked up from the ground; others require dynamite or jackhammers to be extracted (not recommended for the amateur!). Many paleontologists carry a geologist's hammer or masonry hammer; rock slabs may be split with this hammer, with this hammer and a cold chisel, or with a stiff-bladed putty knife, depending on their hardness.

The Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 prohibits the excavation, taking or destruction of any archaeological resources located on lands under federal jurisdiction. Vertebrate and other fossils of "recognized scientific interest" also are protected under the Antiquities Act of 1906. Paleontologists believe that in some cases the removal of just one such fossil could create an unfortunate gap in scientific inquiry.

ANSWER: It is impossible to predict what or how much you will find. The major factor depends on how much work you put into it. The more you sift the gravel beds, the more you will find. The more people in your party, the more fossils you will take home.

You get Omanyte from the Helix Fossil, Kabuto from the Dome Fossil, and Aerodactyl from the Old Amber.

ANSWER: The majority of the fossils you will find are sharks teeth millions of years old. In addition, other marine fossils are also mixed in to include Sting Ray mouth plates, Whale bones, whale teeth, fish fossils, porpoise teeth, Squalodon teeth (extinct whale species) etc. In addition, the Hawthorne formation will include various land mammal fossils.

Many people hold the common belief that a theory is more certain than a hypothesis but less certain than a law. Scientists do not use these terms that way and when scientists talk about the theory of evolution they are not expressing reservations about its truth. For scientists a theory is a rigorously tested statement of general principles that explains observable and recorded aspects of the natural world. A theory is not just an "idea".

Digging for fossils is not allowed within the National Monument. All animals, plants, and rocks (including fossils) are protected by law and cannot be removed or harmed.

No, you will not see any fossils at these overlooks. The best place to see a wide variety of fossils up close is at the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center has many different fossils on display as well as replicas for you to examine.

The best person to ask is Doug Boyce, the Provincial paleontologist. He can provide pointers to various sites and publications. In fact, if you visit the Education Resources Page, Doug has a short paper on the fossils of Newfoundland & Labrador. Many sites are highlighted in " A Traveller's Guide to the Geology of Newfoundland and Labrador", a map and guidebook to the geology of Newfoundland and Labrador. This can be ordered from the