Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Familiarize yourself with trilobites. Visit a website such as A Guide to the Order of Trilobites or your local library and look for examples of trilobites. Once you know what you're looking for, finding trilobites will be considerably easier.
Identify areas in your community where trilobites have already been found. Trilobites tend to be found in clumps. Local fossil clubs are a great way to identify such zones and meet fellow fossil hunters. Trilobite fossils can be found in any rock, but are commonly found in shale and limestone, which are also easier to split apart than other rocks.
Make a trip to an area with a high concentration of trilobites. Rocky areas are a good place to start, and some areas such as the U-DIG fossil quarry in Delta, Utah offer trilobite tours that guarantee you'll find something.
Inspect the rocks in the area and see if you can find any samples lying out in the open.
Use a hammer and chisel to split rocks. Although trilobite fossils can be found on the surface of rocks, it is often necessary to split apart the rocks and look inside. It's a good idea to wear goggles and gloves when splitting rock to protect your eyes and hands from stray rock particles.
Compare your fossil to other samples. Once you have found a specimen, use a website or ask an expert to ensure that your fossil is an authentic trilobite.