Green River Fossil Fish Workshop

Green River Fossil Fish Workshop

(Before) (After)

When: Saturday, July 19 (9AM-11AM)

Where: Brookhaven’s Ellison Miles (Bldg. H) in a side classroom near where we normally meet. 

July is typically a hostile time for outdoor fossil collecting so we’ve scheduled an indoor ‘field trip’.

The Society has purchased 20 unprepped fossil fish in matrix from the Warfield Fossil Quarries near Kemmerer, Wyoming – the self-proclaimed, ‘Fossil Fish Capital of the World’. These fossil fish that we have all seen are from the Eocene Epoch (about 50mya), Green River Formation. Google, ‘Green River Formation’, for more details about the geological events that created this magical treasure trove of fossils.

Each irregular slab of shale contains probably a Diplomystus or a Knightia fish near the surface. The fish are three to four inches long and finished products are suitable for framing (see below). We have a few dental tools for the preparation, but you need to ask your dentist for their worn-out tools. Typically, tools called ‘scalers’ work best.

The slabs are $25 each and come with a 2-hour workshop to get you started, then you can finish your project at your leisure. Optionally, you may want to bring along a lamp (with a magnifying lens, if possible), magnifying glass/visor and art gum eraser. Some lamps will be provided.

We’ll place a limit of two kits per family to give more people a chance to participate. You can sign-up and pay via the website: www.dallaspaleo.org. Call Roger 972-898-2700, if you have questions.

Signups will be opened on Monday, June 30. The fish will go to the first 20 members who sign up and pay.