Under Renovation Fall 2025

Here are our resources to help with identifying fake fossils.

Fossils are the organic remains of past life on Earth. They are extremely varied, ranging from dinosaur eggshells and Cambrian trilobites to insects in amber or Megalodon teeth. Fake fossils, too, come in many forms. Some fossils are sold as something they are not: perhaps an authentic Carcharodontosaur tooth may be sold as a Tyrannosaur tooth for a substantially higher value, or a Walliserops trilobite may be substantially altered or reconstructed around an original fossil base. Some fossils are entirely fabricated, like spectacular Spinosaurus claws carved out of indeterminate bone, or cast Hydrocephalosaurus being sold as original.

Some fossils are collected, exported, and sold illegally. We will also note when this is the case, and encourage potential fossil buyers to consider the ethical and legal environment surrounding their purchases. We do not recommend any particular fossil vendor, and the Fossil Authenticity Project does not sell fossils. The fossils pictured on this website are intended to be a resource to help those interested in paleontology learn more about fake fossils.