• The ammonite, shown here as a fossil, is now extinct.fossil image by Goran Bogicevic from Fotolia.com
  
  According to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, fossils -- skeletons and other remains of plants and animals that are preserved in layers of sedimentary rock -- show how long life has existed on Earth. Fossils show how plants and animals relate to one another as well as help society understand evolution and science. They are fragile and damage easily when being excavated and exposed to oxygen, hence archeologists and fossil hunters alike use specific tools to excavate and preserve history.
  
  

Safety Gear

• A hard hat is worn during most excavations.hard hat image by jovica antoski from Fotolia.com
  
  Depending on the topography of the land being excavated and weather conditions, safety gear is necessary when searching for fossils. Wear a hardhat, especially if the dig occurs in a quarry or on a mountain side. Likewise, wear a protective and brightly colored jacket, also known as a high-visibility jacket. These jackets help machinery operators spot people on foot, and help searchers find those people who are lost or covered due to an accident. Carry safety glasses when on a fossil hunt and use them as you chisel, dig and work with sharp objects. Also, have on hand protective gloves, such as hammer gloves. The special gloves allow for finger dexterity while protecting the hands against blisters, which occur after long hours of hammering through stone, rocks and dirt. Kneepads are recommended for anyone kneeling for long periods on hard surfaces.
  
  

Extraction

• A chisel and hammer are common tools used when hunting for fossils.cold chisel image by Aleksandr Ugorenkov from Fotolia.com
  
  The best-known tools for fossil searching are the shovel, hammer and chisel. Shovels are used for their traditional function of digging and clearing away large amounts of dirt, rock and debris. A rock hammer, also known as a geology hammer, is available in several weights and various shapes. Children may use a light-weight hammer, which adults can use for breaking smaller rocks. Use heavy hammers when breaking large rocks and stones and to punch down chisels. Likewise, chisels are available in different shapes and sizes specific to the size of the stone being chiseled.
  
  A magnifying glass is also a necessary item which will help the hunter discover a fossil in camouflaged or hard-to-see places. For the extraction of a small and fragile fossil, carry a steel point and small fossil brush. The steel point offers precise extraction as the brush clears away dust and fine rock from the fossil. If loose rocks and sediment cover a small fossil, use a sieve to sift the particles from the fossil. In rare cases, use super-glue or a special type of glue used on paleontological specimens to extract very fragile and lightweight fossils that are prone to damage.
  
  

Transportation Materials

• Wrap fossils in foam when transporting.rock collection image by Andrew Kazmierski from Fotolia.com
  
  After a find at an excavation site, materials to transport the fossils are needed. Make available plastic bags in several sizes from large to small, foam or padded wrap, and rubber bands. Foam wrap provides good protection for fragile finds. Depending on the size of the fossil, first wrap it in a fitted plastic bag, and then cover with foam wrap, securing it with rubber bands. Do not wrap the bands too tightly as they may damage what's inside the wrap. According to Paleocurrents, spray liquid acrylic on the specimen to help organic material from falling off the fossil.