Fossil Hunts

Steven C. Minkin Paleozoic Footprint Site
(Formerly Union Chapel Coal Mine)

Saturday, April 26th, 9AM & 12PM

This site is considered one of the top three Coal-Age fossil sites in the world. It took an Act of Congress to preserve Union Chapel Mine's hundreds of fossils recording an ancient swamp and sea shore. It's the only place in the world with a complete fossil record of an ancient horseshoe crab and has been visited by scientists from around The world. The site is owned by the State of Alabama and managed by the Alabama Paleontological Society (APS). Though the site is not open to the public, our fossil hunts are led by paleontologists from APS.  Because of this partnership, we have been granted special permission to bring our members and guests to hunt for fossils here. Though the terrain is a bit rugged, fossils are abundant and easy to find. Everyone leaves with a fossil. Children as young as five have found museum-quality pieces.​