Where to Find Them Fossils are found throughout the world and, following their collection, are distributed around the world for research and display. Hopefully, most collected fossils end up in museums or other institutions of learning; unfortunately a good many of them are sold to private collectors or, believe it or not, pharmaceutical organizations that grind them up as medicinal ingredients. JM encourages all amateur prospectors and collectors to contact their local museum or college to report any discoveries they make before they actually collect them.