Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
5.6 Summary
Every site is unique and no guide can be comprehensive and
cover every eventuality. The importance of fossil sites for both
amateurs and professionals has led to a wealth of guide topics
and websites specifi c to places and/or particular time periods
or rock units. It is therefore worth searching the web and
literature in advance of any palaeontological study as well as
5
Is the
collection
representative?
Exit the site with
samples, notes
and photographs
for interpretation
Define
palaeontology
project
No
Yes
Extract, label, wrap
and bag/box sample
for transport
Make the site
safe and tidy
Is
the site
on private
land?
Yes
Sketch, photograph
and record samples
in stratigraphic
context
Is it
appropriate
to collect?
Obtain
access
permission
No
No
Is
the site
protected
by law?
Yes
Photograph, sketch
and note location,
sedimentary context
and orientation
Obtain access
and sampling
permission
No
Examine fossils
for representative
and best preserved
examples
Extract, label, wrap
and bag/box samples
for transport to
laboratory
Arrive at the site
and determine safe
working practice
Determine
sampling regime
Examine float and
bedding surfaces
for visible body
fossils and traces
Are
microfossil
samples also
needed?
Yes
Determine
sampling regime
Yes
Would
microfossil
samples be
useful?
Sketch/photograph
site. If appropriate
make graphic log
Are fossils
visibly
present?
No
No
