Fossil Hunting tips in Southeast Colorado
Description: A sharks tooth discovered in a layer of rock sediment South of La Junta.
You should always make sure you have permission before going onto private property. Trespassing is a crime and you should be mindful not to impede on anyone's right to property and privacy. This is not a complete guide and should only be used as an example of what exciting fossilized discoveries can be found in Southeast Colorado.
This fossilized bone was exposed to the elements by erosion and people digging through the layers in this well trafficked park. Notice the many bone and shell fragments scattered in the layers of rock.
From canyonlands South of La Junta, this fossilized shell impression is common, but one this large (about first sized) is slightly less common.
It all looks like it was an ancient seabed because it was. Fossils and geodes are easiest to find where you can see multiple layers of sediment exposed.
This piece was exposed to daylight and the natural forces of erosion. Still a very neat example of a prehistoric fossil that can be found in Southeast Colorado.
This sharks tooth was wedged between layers of sediment. An easy step to make extraction smoother is to soak the piece in water over night.
After a little effort under a running faucet this small serrated shark tooth was extracted from several layers of hardened sediment. A water pic would make the process easier and more controlled than prying with finger tips and a knife edge under running water. Again, this is not a how-to article, but rather a shared experience demonstrating the history beneath our feet.
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