Even when sedimentary rocks from the right age are located, fossils have to be exposed before they can be found.

CLICK on the pictures to learn about finding fossils in sedimentary rocks.

Because of processes like uplift and erosion, some fossils that were once buried deep in the ground can become exposed near the surface.

This is why many paleontologists look for fossils on the sides of hills and other areas where uplift and erosion have occured.