"How To Properly Stream Bed Pan For Fossils"
Digging for fossils is an exciting activity for adults, and children alike. It is a great way to spend the day by yourself, or with your family in a natural environment. However, there is a proper and improper process which should be followed. This includes precautionary measures to prevent the artificial erosion of the locales you visit. To start, let me tell you what materials you will require to properly stream bed pan for fossils. First, you will need a fossil screen box, no larger than 16" x 16". Depending on your preference, you can elect to use a tightly knitted aluminum screen, typical of a house window for searching for small material, or you could use a larger diamond mesh for strictly large material. Next, a small hand spade or shovel (locale permitted), which you will need to collect the material you will be screening. By using a smaller implement, you will prevent the creation of large holes or gouges into the stream bed. You will also need a container to safely store the fossils you unearth, like a jar or bottle that has a tight closing lid. You may also choose to wear aqua shoes or waders depending on the conditions you will encounter.
Now that your ready to dig, the first step is to cautiously find a location at least four feet from the banks or walls of the basin. Be sure to avoid any area's where water levels are above the waistline, otherwise you wont be able to reach the stream bed. Once you have found a good spot, gently graze the side of your spade across the bed surface to collect material, then empty it into your screening box. Be sure to apply the "soft and slow" method, to prevent the breaking up of any fragile materials you may be unearthing. Repeat this process until you have collected enough material in your screening box, or until it is roughly one-third of the way full. Then, submerge your box one half of the way into the water, and gently sift by using a slow back and forth motion which will remove the tiny grains of sand, and leave only the larger more substantial materials. When you have completed sifting, carefully examine the remaining contents in search of fossils. Any fossils that you find should immediately be safely stored in your sealed container. This will prevent your specimen from being lost or damaged.
You can repeat this process for as long as you desire, however, it is very important not to stay in one spot too long. Limit yourself, and others to 2-3 box fills per standing, then move on so not to create holes in the stream bed. In the case that a hole is created, try to back fill by dragging bed surface sands from the surrounding area into the hole until leveled. By using this process and following the precautionary measures, you will be enabled to safely dig, as well as preserving the locales natural erosion. This, will ensure the preservation of the fossils potentially unearthed for the many future generations of fossil diggers.
Digging for fossils is an exciting activity for adults, and children alike. It is a great way to spend the day by yourself, or with your family in a natural environment. However, there is a proper and improper process which should be followed. This includes precautionary measures to prevent the artificial erosion of the locales you visit. To start, let me tell you what materials you will require to properly stream bed pan for fossils. First, you will need a fossil screen box, no larger than 16" x 16". Depending on your preference, you can elect to use a tightly knitted aluminum screen, typical of a house window for searching for small material, or you could use a larger diamond mesh for strictly large material. Next, a small hand spade or shovel (locale permitted), which you will need to collect the material you will be screening. By using a smaller implement, you will prevent the creation of large holes or gouges into the stream bed. You will also need a container to safely store the fossils you unearth, like a jar or bottle that has a tight closing lid. You may also choose to wear aqua shoes or waders depending on the conditions you will encounter.
Now that your ready to dig, the first step is to cautiously find a location at least four feet from the banks or walls of the basin. Be sure to avoid any area's where water levels are above the waistline, otherwise you wont be able to reach the stream bed. Once you have found a good spot, gently graze the side of your spade across the bed surface to collect material, then empty it into your screening box. Be sure to apply the "soft and slow" method, to prevent the breaking up of any fragile materials you may be unearthing. Repeat this process until you have collected enough material in your screening box, or until it is roughly one-third of the way full. Then, submerge your box one half of the way into the water, and gently sift by using a slow back and forth motion which will remove the tiny grains of sand, and leave only the larger more substantial materials. When you have completed sifting, carefully examine the remaining contents in search of fossils. Any fossils that you find should immediately be safely stored in your sealed container. This will prevent your specimen from being lost or damaged.
You can repeat this process for as long as you desire, however, it is very important not to stay in one spot too long. Limit yourself, and others to 2-3 box fills per standing, then move on so not to create holes in the stream bed. In the case that a hole is created, try to back fill by dragging bed surface sands from the surrounding area into the hole until leveled. By using this process and following the precautionary measures, you will be enabled to safely dig, as well as preserving the locales natural erosion. This, will ensure the preservation of the fossils potentially unearthed for the many future generations of fossil diggers.
