FOSSILGUY.COM

Please note, the Mine is CLOSED to collecting - This is an older trip report from 2008. Please don't call the mine or museum asking to fossil hunt in the mine. You can still fossil hunt at the mine tailings in front of the museum. Go to the Aurora page for more information.

Fall Aurora Fossil Trip Report from back in 2008
Opening Day of the Aurora Phosphate Mine - Megalodons a plenty!

The opening day of Aurora is stimulating. The first bus group heading into the mine is filled with paleontologists, geologists, and hardcore fossil nuts (like myself). One can feel the electricity in the air and taste the enthusiasm.

When the bus stops at the ramp, the entrance into fossil heaven, a growing aura of energy envelops the group. As the group awaits for the O.K. to enter the mine, emotions such as excitement, anxiety, and enthusiasm all ferment together.

Finally, when the O.K is given, the group begins to walk. The pace soon quickens. It soon turns into a race to get to the new collecting area. What undiscovered treasures wait at the back of the mine? It reminds me of the running of the bulls. However, instead of running in fear for ones life, one runs to the cry of a undiscovered fossils!

Amy and I did quite well in the mine. The first few hours were spent in frustration as 3 megs were found sticking out of the matrix. However, when exhumed, they were all only fragments. The tides then turned as I noticed a large 4 7/8" slant height meg just laying out, nearly fully exposed on a Yorktown hillside. After that find, the rest of the day was cake.

Highlights include 2 nice whale teeth, both of which are very large. Also found was a PERFECT 2.75" C. hastalis, and a few dolphin finger digits that I needed for my dolphin hand reconstruction.

Thank you PCS for allowing us to fossil collect! It's been great!

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Below are the fossil found from the mine in Aurora, NC

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Recommended Books for North Carolina Fossil Collecting:

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Shark Tooth Hunting on the Carolina Coast

by Ashley Oliphant, 2015

This is a great field guide for locating and identifying fossil shark teeth on the beaches of North and South Carolina. It is filled with clear photographs and easy to read descriptions.
There's not too many books about North Carolina Sharks teeth. This one is pretty good!

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Fossil Shark Teeth of the World

A great book for identifying all those teeth. This book is laid out "as simple as possible." It's ease of use and small size makes it great to carry during collecting trips. This book shows teeth from around the globe, but all the North Carolina teeth can be found in it.

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Seal/Dolphin ~ Phoca/Stenella: A Skeletal Comparison of Two Marine Mammals

by John R. Timmerman, 1997

This is a very good book if you want to attempt to identify the numerous bone fragments encountered at this site.
This book can be purchased through the North Carolina Fossil Club - When at their website, click on the publications tab.

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Recommended Link

ELASMO.COM

The best site on the web for fossil shark teeth! It's dedicated to Aurora and many other sites!

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Get Your Very Own Megalodon Tooth:

These are Authentic Megalodon teeth sold by Fossil Era , a reputable fossil dealer (that I personally know) who turned his fossil passion into a business. His Megalodon teeth come in all sizes and prices, from small and inexpensive to large muesum quality teeth. Each tooth has a detailed descriptions and images that include its collecting location and formation. If you are looking for a megalodon tooth, browse through these selections!