Flat Run Fossils is a BYOT (Bring Your Own Tools) site, meaning visitors must come prepared with the right equipment to maximize their fossil-hunting experience. The terrain consists of exposed sedimentary layers, including fossiliferous limestones and shales, which require proper tools for extracting specimens safely and effectively.

🔴 Required Safety Gear

• Eye Protection (Mandatory): Safety glasses or goggles are required at all times.
• Gloves: Protective gloves help prevent cuts and scrapes while handling rocks and tools.
• Sturdy Footwear: Closed-toe shoes or boots with good traction are required to navigate uneven terrain.

Recommended Tools

• Geological Hammer: Essential for splitting shale and extracting fossils with precision.
• Medium to Large Chisels: Used for breaking apart rock layers to reveal fossils.
• Pry Bars: Helps loosen larger rock slabs and access deeper fossil-bearing layers.
• Storage & Transport: Bring a sturdy bucket, padded containers, or wrapping materials (such as newspaper or foam) to safely store and transport your fossil finds.
• Brushes & Picks: Small brushes and dental picks help with delicate fossil cleaning on-site.
• Padding Knee pads or foam pad for kneeling on. Its a game changer

Additional Tips

Flat Run Fossils is known for its well-preserved trilobites and other marine fossils from the Upper Ordovician. To improve your chances of success, focus on splitting shale carefully and inspecting exposed layers. Be mindful of the terrain and ensure you leave the site as you found it—ethical fossil collecting helps preserve the experience for future visitors.

Flat Run Fossils offers an incredible opportunity to collect world-class trilobites like Flexicalymene retrorsa and Isotelus maximus. But these fossils are fragile, and improper handling can destroy them before they ever make it home. This guide outlines the key steps to properly preserve your finds from the Arnheim Formation, ensuring they stay intact for years to come.

Rule #1: Thou shalt not field prep. Never try to clean or expose more of a fossil in the field. You risk damaging it beyond repair, especially without proper tools. If a piece breaks or flakes off, it’s often lost forever. Always wait until you're home—or better yet, leave prep to a professional.

Flexicalymene retrorsa are smaller trilobites often found prone or semi-prone in fragile shale. Immediately wrap these in Saran Wrap as soon as they’re uncovered. This helps the shale dry slowly, preventing cracking and flaking. Keep them wrapped for 2–4 weeks (or longer for large pieces) until fully dry. Never rinse or clean these fossils with water once dried or prepped—it can destroy them. The exception is enrolled Flexis or specimens found in harder calcareous nodules; these are more stable and can often be rinsed gently at home.

Isotelus maximus, Ohio’s official state fossil, can reach up to 15 inches (38 cm) and is extremely fragile when exposed. If the shell starts to flake or crack, apply a thin stabilizer like Starbond or PaleoBond as soon as possible. Save every broken piece—including small bits like genal spines. Once stabilized, chisel out a generous slab around the fossil, giving it a wide safety margin. Wrap the entire slab in plastic and allow it to dry like you would a Flexi. Never rinse or clean it with water. For enrolled Isotelus, wrap immediately and save any broken parts for reassembly by a preparator.

Every trilobite recovered from Flat Run is a preserved moment in Earth’s ancient marine history. Treat your fossil with care and patience, and you’ll carry home not just a specimen—but a story over 445 million years in the making.