Found something cool? Leave it where it lay! 

That arrowhead, bone, or bit of pottery you just found? It's not just a "cool rock"; it's so much more; it's a puzzle piece. And puzzle pieces only make sense when they're still on the board.

The moment you pick something up, you erase one of the most important clues archaeologists need: exactly where it was, what it was sitting next to, and how deep it was buried. Think of this context as basically the artifact's memory, and once it's gone, it's gone for good, even if the object itself is safe in your pocket.

Think of it like pulling a single page out of a book: you might love that page, but on its own it can't tell you the story. Leave it in place, and archaeologists can read the whole chapter, such as where and how people lived, what they used, how they moved through the land hundreds or thousands of years ago.

So what should you do? Do not move the artifact! We know, it's super exciting to find things past people made (heck, some of us have even made a living out of it), but please don't disturb it.  Snap a photo, note the location (GPS pin if you can), and report it. You get to be part of the discovery and the object gets to keep its story intact. Win-win.

Report your find to the Royal Alberta Museum.

Photo ideas for Reporting an Artifact

1. Scale shot
Place a common object next to it for size reference — a coin, a pen, your hand (without touching the artifact). No ruler? No problem, just use whatever's in your pocket, and keep it there while photographing it. 

2. Close-up (in place)
Get right up close, but don't move or touch it. This shows exactly how and where it was resting.

3. Medium shot (surroundings)
A few steps closer. Show the artifact along with what's immediately around it — rocks, soil, plants, water, other objects nearby.

Remember to not move it or touch it. 

Use one of these file types - .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .heic

How to Take Locational Information with Your Phone

iPhone (Apple)

Option 1: Photo location (easiest for field use)

• If Location Services is on, every photo you take automatically saves GPS coordinates in the photo's info — no extra steps needed
• Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → make sure it's On for Camera
• If location services are turned on when the photo was taken, the information will automatically travel with the photo. If you wish to see the locational information on the photo - you can take these steps.
  • Open Photos
  • Tap the photo you want to check
  • Swipe up on the photo (or tap the small "i" info icon)
  • You'll see a map with a pin showing exactly where it was taken
  • Tap the map to open it in Maps, where you can get the full coordinates

Option 2: Compass app (has built-in GPS)

1. Open the Compass app (comes pre-installed)
2. Scroll down — you'll see your latitude and longitude at the bottom
3. Tap and hold the numbers to copy them

Option 3: Maps app

1. Open Maps
2. Tap the blue dot (your location)
3. Scroll down on the info card — coordinates are listed there
4. Tap to copy

Android

Option 1: Photo location

• Same as iPhone — if Location is turned on, coordinates save automatically with each photo
• Check: Settings → Location → make sure it's On, and Camera app has permission
• If location services are turned on when the photo was taken, the information will automatically travel with the photo. If you wish to see the locational information on the photo - you can take these steps.
  • Open Google Photos
  • Tap the photo
  • Swipe up, or tap the "i" info icon (usually top right)
  • Scroll down — you'll see a small map with the location pinned
  • Tap it for more detail, or tap the address/coordinates shown

Option 2: Google Maps

1. Open Google Maps
2. Tap and hold on your current location on the map
3. Coordinates pop up at the bottom — tap to copy

Report your find to the Royal Alberta Museum.