A walk through the neighborhood became an unexpected brush with history for two Saskatchewan siblings when ridges in a pile of rocks led them to fossils estimated to be about 450 million years old.
Here's what to know
According to CTV News, the object Oden Singh and Bailey Pearson noticed protruding from a rock pile during a walk in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, likely came from an ancient marine animal that lived when a shallow sea covered Western Canada.
They said a skill for noticing patterns helped guide them to the discovery. Ryan McKellar, a specialist with the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, examined the specimen, identified it, and pointed out why finds like this are not common.
"It's a little bit more rare to find these really big nautiloids like they found," McKellar said. "And the specimens that they've got are a really nice snapshot of what was around at the time."
More background
CTV News reported that the new discoveries add to the family's collection of about 20 fossils, more than 100 crystals, and several arrowheads.
Oden and Bailey's mother, Amanda, has collected rocks since childhood, and she has helped turn the family's discoveries into conversations about ancient history.
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"As we find fossils, we learn about those creatures and we learn more about history and ancient times," Amanda said.
In the YouTube comments, one viewer wrote, "Cool. I find similar fossil shells where I live, but not as large as that one."
What can be done?
During neighborhood walks, Oden and Bailey pay close attention to shapes, ridges, and other visible signs. The museum's identification gave the fossils wider meaning, while Amanda's years of collecting nurtured the curiosity that led her children to them.
What is now a family hobby could eventually turn into a profession, with Bailey describing her interest as "kind of like the start of a career."
Where can I learn more?
Unexpected fossil finds have turned up elsewhere too, helping fill in the picture of ancient life.
• In Wales, a fish jaw helped solve 200 years of fossil confusion.
• In Egypt's desert, an ancient shark graveyard revealed a sea once teeming with life.
• In Florida, a river drawdown exposed Ice Age carnivore fossils and petrified wood.
• In northeastern China, a giant-clawed dinosaur emerged that may have resembled a feathered bear.
• In southern Argentina, giant titanosaur eggshells suggested buried nests helped keep embryos warm.
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