Who Am I?

Hi, I’m Dan.

My journey into the world of fossils began nearly a decade ago, though surprisingly, I wasn’t always into fossils as a child. In fact, I had little interest in them at first. What sparked my curiosity wasn’t Palaeontology or ancient history, it was a video game called ARK: Survival Evolved. Playing the game introduced me to a prehistoric world and ignited a newfound fascination.

Curious to learn more, I turned to YouTube. I discovered videos featuring Yorkshire fossil collectors, and watching their adventures made fossil hunting seem both exciting and rewarding. Inspired, I took my first trip out into the field, armed with nothing more than enthusiasm and a sense of adventure.

During that trip, I found my first Ammonite, Hildoceras. It was about five inches in diameter, and I still remember the feeling, the thrill of holding something so ancient, over 180 million years old, older than the dinosaurs themselves. That moment was the turning point, I was hooked!

From then on, I dove deep into the art of fossil preparation. I came across a video demonstrating the process, and that inspired me to learn more. I bought a Dremel electric engraver and began teaching myself how to prepare fossils. What started as a hobby quickly turned into a passion. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of carefully revealing the secrets hidden within a rock.

Over the years, I’ve gained extensive experience, preparing almost everything you can think of from the Whitby coastline, ammonites, shells, marine reptile bones, and many other remarkable specimens. Each fossil tells a story, and I love being the one to bring their stories back to life.

Fossil hunting and preparation isn’t just hobby for me, it has turned into a lifelong passion. Every find, every specimen ready to be admired, drives me further into this fascinating world of ancient history.