The next time you are wandering around the coastline looking for artifacts, know that Topsail Island is the perfect place for a fossil beach adventure as new finds are washed in with the tides every single day — easier to see during off-season months with less traffic. While it is normal to discount highly treasured fossils as some old rocks; don’t make that mistake. From the fossilized, jagged teeth of a giant, prehistoric shark to the smooth, rounded sea biscuits, the 26-mile-long barrier island’s rich history allows for possibilities of finding new, fascinating gems. And if you find them; don’t stop there. Learn as much as you possibly can about the fossils of Topsail Island.
With the thousands of seashells decorating the coastlines, the success of spotting fossils may seem daunting at first.
Toms Teeth - Topsail Island Fossil Education/Facebook
But fear not; the possibilities are endless, especially at Topsail Beach.
Toms Teeth - Topsail Island Fossil Education/Facebook
These shark’s teeth and a sand fulgurite, which is a glassy silica mineral fused from a lightning strike, are exciting discoveries.
Toms Teeth - Topsail Island Fossil Education/Facebook
These lovely sea biscuits come from Sea Urchins, which when alive are covered with movable spines providing mobility and protection.
Toms Teeth - Topsail Island Fossil Education/Facebook
This aluminum fossil resembles the nose cone of a missile, which is possible as the Topsail Island Assembly Building, constructed in 1946, was used by the U.S. government to assemble missiles for a secret missile operation.
Toms Teeth - Topsail Island Fossil Education/Facebook Find out more about this history at the Missiles and More Museum.
This tooth belonged to the Otodus megalodon, meaning “giant tooth,” which is the largest shark that ever lived in the ocean.
Toms Teeth - Topsail Island Fossil Education/Facebook They died out about 3.5 million years ago.
Imagine the excitement following this find — a Mastadon tooth! The age of this beauty is an estimated 1-3 million years old.
Toms Teeth - Topsail Island Fossil Education/Facebook
Be on the lookout for some that may appear as rocks, such as this mass of fine-grained rock or a matrix, which is comprised of fossils that solidified together, creating a most beautiful abstract piece.
Toms Teeth - Topsail Island Fossil Education/Facebook
Someone found an interesting pottery shard and oyster fossils.
Toms Teeth - Topsail Island Fossil Education/Facebook
Don’t discount the possibility of finding something useful, such as this jewel-encrusted grill.
Toms Teeth - Topsail Island Fossil Education/Facebook
Every season at Topsail Beach, especially those with less traffic, offer prized and memorable treasures worthy of saving.
Toms Teeth - Topsail Island Fossil Education/Facebook
We hope you are inspired to explore Topsail Island’s fossil beach in North Carolina. And if you find something interesting, please tell us about it in the comments below. And discover why North Topsail Beach is considered a turtle sanctuary.
Toms Teeth - Topsail Island Fossil Education/Facebook
Find out more about this history at the Missiles and More Museum.
They died out about 3.5 million years ago.
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Address: Topsail Island, North Topsail Beach, NC 28460, USA
