Fossils are the bridge between your first shovel and your first creature. The official Prehistoric Farm description explains that you collect a complete fossil set at dig sites, then bring it to Dr. Ivy’s DNA Lab to restore an egg.
Set sizes observed in the live game
The current in-game collection menu shows 4 fossil pieces per entry in Cambrian and Devonian, and 3 in Triassic. Our earlier community-only five-piece estimate for the first two eras was wrong and has been corrected. Later-era requirements still need verification.
Observed fossil requirements
English research notes from a real level-1 collection menu, not a game screenshot.
How fossil digging works
Travel to a dig site
Use a boat to reach a fossil island and look for a marked digging spot.
Hold, then release in green
Hold the dig interaction while the meter moves. Releasing in the green section is the official tip for a better find.
Complete your set
Keep digging until you have enough matching fossils for the set you are collecting.
Visit Dr. Ivy’s DNA Lab
Hand in the complete fossil set to receive an egg. Warm and hatch it in the incubator.
What happens after you find a set?
Keep the fossils you need rather than immediately trading away everything you find. Return to the DNA Lab with the required set, then follow the incubator process. The exact number of fossils can vary by creature and period; check in-game before counting on a particular requirement.
Which island should I dig on?
The community records place the starter shovel in Cambrian and later shovels in Devonian, Triassic and beyond. Shovel access and boat travel are separate considerations: being able to dig on an island does not necessarily mean you can reach it with your current boat.
Common digging questions
Why didn’t I get a fossil?
Not every dig is guaranteed to produce the fossil you want. Try a fresh site and practice the green timing window instead of assuming every attempt returns an item.
Where do I hatch eggs?
Bring the set to Dr. Ivy’s DNA Lab, then use the incubator. For the rest of the process, read our egg and growth guide .