Stop any activity that could disturb the bones or the surrounding ground. Leave everything in place, note the location and take a photo only if you can do so safely, then report the find promptly to the authority responsible for the land and the type of remains. Do not assume old-looking bones are animal fossils: possible human remains need to be reported through the applicable law-enforcement, coroner or land-management process. The correct procedure depends on where you are, who manages the land and whether the find may be fossil, archaeological or forensic.
What to do first
- Stop the activity. Stop digging, mining, driving, construction or other work that could disturb the bones or their context. If the discovery occurred during work, secure the immediate area and follow the permit or land manager’s discovery procedure. On U.S. federal or tribal land, the National Park Service says to stop activity that could threaten the discovery until the responsible official authorizes it to resume. National Park Service guidance.
- Leave the find untouched. Do not dig further, clean, expose, collect or transport the bones. Keep surrounding sediment and associated material in place. Yukon’s instruction to fossil finders is simple: “Leave it where it is.” Government of Yukon fossil guidance.
- Document from a safe position. Note the location and take a photo if possible without approaching or disturbing the site. Do not put yourself at risk to obtain coordinates or a closer image. Yukon asks for a location and photo for fossil reports, and for a photo and GPS location if possible when a member of the public reports possible human remains. Fossil reporting; archaeological-site reporting.
- Report the discovery promptly. Contact the authority for the land and the kind of find. Tell them where and when you found it, what activity led to the discovery, whether anything was moved, and whether there is an immediate threat such as active thaw, erosion or ongoing work.
- Follow directions before resuming. Do not resume work that could disturb the site until the responsible authority clears it where required. On U.S. federal or tribal land, the National Park Service says the responsible official certifies when an activity may resume. National Park Service discovery guidance.
If someone may be in immediate danger, contact local emergency services. Otherwise, do not treat the discovery as an emergency excuse to handle or move the bones.
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Work out which authority to contact
There is no single contact or rule for every permafrost discovery. Identify your country and local jurisdiction, the land manager, and whether the bones could be human. The following official procedures illustrate how much the response can vary.
| Location and type of discovery | Initial reporting and site handling |
|---|---|
| Yukon fossil | Leave it in place, record the location and photograph it if possible, then contact the Yukon Palaeontology Program. If the find is on a First Nation’s Traditional Territory, the appropriate First Nation should also be contacted. Government of Yukon. |
| Yukon possible human remains, found by a member of the public | Stop activity and report to the RCMP; provide a photo and GPS location if possible. The RCMP coordinates notification to the coroner or relevant heritage and First Nation authorities according to the circumstances. Government of Yukon. |
| Fossil discovered during Yukon placer mining | Notify the Yukon Palaeontology Program and Manager of Mining Lands. The mining guidance says recovered fossils should be protected from weather while awaiting collection; it is a mine-specific procedure, not permission for visitors to excavate or move a find. Fossil reporting; placer-mining best practices. |
| Possible human remains in Alaska | Alaska’s guidance says to treat the discovery initially as a potential crime scene and contact regional Alaska State Troopers and the State Medical Examiner. Do not disturb the remains or a surrounding buffer while reporting and consultation occur. The applicable process depends in part on land status and the age of the remains. Alaska Department of Natural Resources. |
| Discovery on U.S. federal or tribal land | Immediately report to the appropriate land-management official and any applicable additional contact. Stop activity that threatens the discovery and do not resume until authorized. Discoveries may trigger procedures under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). National Park Service. |
| Parks Canada-administered federal Crown land | Report fossils or evidence of previous human occupation immediately to the Superintendent. Leave them undisturbed pending inspection by a Parks Canada palaeontologist or archaeologist. Parks Canada applicant’s guide. |
Why you should not identify or collect the bones yourself
Appearance alone is not a reliable basis for deciding whether remains are animal fossils, archaeological material or potentially human. Context matters: the surrounding sediment and associated objects can help authorities assess the discovery, and disturbing them can compromise that assessment. A qualified professional or responsible authority should determine what the find is and what happens next.
#1 Best Overall
- UNEARTH AUTHENTIC TREASURES: Dive into a hands-on adventure with the Dan&Darci Fossil Dig Kit! Extract 12 genuine fossils, each holding a unique tale from our Earth.
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Legal protections also depend on jurisdiction and land status. In Yukon, collecting fossils without a permit is prohibited under the Historic Resources Act, and artifacts cannot be removed from an archaeological or historical site without a permit. Alaska describes different protections and procedures depending on factors including land status. U.S. federal and tribal land discoveries can invoke NAGPRA procedures. These examples do not establish one rule for all permafrost regions.
Respect cultural and site sensitivities
Follow the process set by the responsible authority and consult the affected Indigenous government or culturally affiliated community through that process. Avoid publishing precise coordinates for a sensitive site or posting images of possible human remains without guidance from the authority and community. Publicizing a location can expose a site to disturbance, while respectful consultation helps ensure that culturally significant remains are handled appropriately.
Rank #2
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If the discovery happened during a permitted project
Secure the immediate area, stop work that could affect the find, and use the project’s permit conditions or land manager’s discovery procedure. Report what happened, including any work already carried out or material moved, and wait for the responsible official’s direction before resuming where clearance is required. Do not apply instructions written for a particular mining operation to an unrelated public discovery.
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Quick Recap
Rank #4
- ✔ EXCAVATE TWO DINOSAUR SKELETONS – Dig into prehistoric fun as you uncover a 15-piece T-Rex and 10-piece Velociraptor skeleton from clay dig bricks. Perfect science activity for budding paleontologists!
- ✔ ASSEMBLE & DISPLAY YOUR DISCOVERIES – Once excavated, fit the fossil pieces together like 3D puzzles to build full dinosaur skeletons. The dino models can be displayed on desktops and shelves in the bedroom or classroom.
- ✔ REAL DIG TOOLS INCLUDED – Comes with everything you need to start your jurassic excavation: 2 clay bricks, a wooden chisel, brush, mallet, and safety goggles for a realistic dig experience.
- ✔ LEARN THROUGH HANDS-ON PLAY – Encourages STEM learning with an engaging focus on paleontology, anatomy, and observation. The dinosaur figurines are great for classrooms, science fairs, or at-home discovery.
- ✔ FOR KIDS AGES 6+ – Easy to follow and fun to complete. A great gift for dinosaur lovers and science explorers. Adult supervision recommended during excavation.
Rank #3
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- Educational and Fun: A science project usually can be engaging, but no so funny. But this dinosaur fossil science kit achieves both! Great set for individual play or as a group activity. It fascinates children as soon as they pull it out of the box and is a perfect STEM project. It fosters a love for science and paleontology in a fun and exciting way. Very good teaching tool for young minds!
- Awesome Kids Birthday Activity: The fossil digging kit for kids will be dinosaur party favors for Dino themed birthday party. The Dino dig would be a great project to do with dinosaur-loving kids. Once complete the excavation. Kids paleontologists have to construct two Dino puzzles. The assembly Dino skeleton and the dinosaur figures can keep in kid's room on display.
- Environmentally Safe Materials: The dinosaur kit is composed primarily of gypsum. No Pollution, Odorless, Safe and Non-toxic.
- Great Gift for Dino Lovers: This dinosaur toys It is very giftable, will be a great Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas gift for boys, girls, kiddos, nephews, nieces or grandchild or even to your imaginative pupils in the kindergarten as fun educational toys. Excellent discovery toys for kids that like to find and crack things open.
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