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The Fastest Way to Get Unidentified Fossils in OSRS: A Complete Guide
If you’re an Old School RuneScape (OSRS) player looking to gather unidentified fossils quickly, you’ve come to the right place. Fossils are a unique resource found on Fossil Island, offering rewards like experience lamps, kudos, numulites, and Prayer experience. Whether you’re aiming to complete the Varrock Museum displays or stockpile fossils for other uses, efficiency is key. In this guide, we’ll explore the fastest methods to obtain unidentified fossils in OSRS, optimized for speed and practicality, as of April 6, 2025.
Before diving into the methods, let’s clarify what unidentified fossils are and why they matter. These items drop from various activities on Fossil Island and come in four types: small, medium, large, and rare. Each type has specific uses, such as completing museum displays or converting into Prayer experience via the Mycelium Pool. The fastest way to gather them depends on your skills, gear, and goals, so let’s break it down.
What Are Unidentified Fossils?
Unidentified fossils are raw drops that need cleaning to reveal their specific type (e.g., small fossilised limbs or rare fossilised tusk). They’re obtained through skilling and combat activities on Fossil Island, making them a versatile resource for players of all levels.
Why Collect Fossils Quickly?
Speed matters if you’re chasing the 120,000 total experience from Varrock Museum displays, need numulites for Fossil Island activities, or want Prayer experience without grinding bones. Efficient fossil collection saves time and boosts your progress in OSRS.
Top Methods for Fast Fossil Collection
Here are the fastest ways to gather unidentified fossils, ranked by efficiency and accessibility. Each method leverages Fossil Island’s unique activities, so pick one that suits your playstyle.
Method 1: Chopping Sulliuscep Mushrooms
Best for: High Woodcutting levels (65+)
Chopping Sulliuscep mushrooms in the Tar Swamp is widely regarded as the fastest way to farm unidentified fossils in OSRS. These rare mushrooms, exclusive to Fossil Island, offer a high fossil drop rate alongside decent Woodcutting experience.
- Requirements: 65 Woodcutting, an axe (dragon or better recommended), Bone Voyage quest completed.
- Setup: Wear lightweight gear (e.g., Graceful outfit), bring a knife for cutting vines, and use the Rubber Cap Mushroom teleport (Digsite pendant).
- Process: Chop the six Sulliuscep spawns in the Tar Swamp, hopping worlds when necessary to reset spawns. Each chop has a chance to drop fossils.
- Fossil Rate: Expect 5-10 fossils per hour, depending on luck and efficiency.
Pro Tip: Use the fossil storage near the Museum Camp to bank fossils quickly, minimizing downtime.
Method 2: Tracking Herbiboar
Best for: High Hunter levels (80+)
Hunting the Herbiboar in the Mushroom Forest is another top-tier method for fossil collection. It combines Hunter experience, herb drops, and a solid fossil yield, making it ideal for skillers.
- Requirements: 80 Hunter, 31 Herblore (for starting tracks), Bone Voyage quest completed.
- Setup: Bring a knife, secateurs (optional for faster harvesting), and use the Digsite pendant for quick access.
- Process: Start at the inspection spots, follow the tracks, and harvest the Herbiboar. Fossils drop alongside herbs and experience.
- Fossil Rate: Around 4-8 fossils per hour, with bonus herbs and Hunter XP.
Pro Tip: Boost your Hunter level with a spicy stew (+5 boost) if you’re just shy of 80.
Method 3: Underwater Agility and Thieving
Best for: Mid-level players (60+ Agility/Thieving)
The underwater area of Fossil Island offers a hybrid training method that yields fossils from looting giant clam shells and treasure chests. It’s less competitive than Sulliusceps and provides Agility and Thieving experience.
- Requirements: 60 Agility, 60 Thieving, Bone Voyage quest, flippers, and a fishbowl helmet.
- Setup: Equip flippers and helmet, dive in via the rowboat, and bring a stamina potion for efficiency.
- Process: Swim through the agility course and pickpocket clams/chests. Fossils drop randomly.
- Fossil Rate: 3-6 fossils per hour, with decent XP gains.
Pro Tip: Store mermaid tears to buy fossils from Mairin’s Market as a supplement.
Optimizing Your Fossil Farming Efficiency
Speed isn’t just about the method—it’s about preparation and execution. Here’s how to maximize your fossil haul per hour.
Gear and Inventory Setup
Your gear can make or break your efficiency. For Sulliusceps, prioritize weight reduction (Graceful) and a high-tier axe. For Herbiboar, keep your inventory light with just a knife and teleport. Underwater activities need flippers and a helmet, plus stamina potions.
World Hopping and Timing
World hopping is crucial for Sulliusceps, as only one mushroom spawns per world at a time. Use low-population worlds (e.g., 300s or skill total worlds) to avoid competition. Time your runs to reset spawns efficiently.
Banking and Storage
Use the fossil storage crate near the Museum Camp or the bank chest (unlocked with numulites) to deposit fossils quickly. This cuts travel time and keeps you focused on gathering.
Comparing Fossil Drop Rates
To help you choose, here’s a quick comparison of the top methods based on fossil yield and additional benefits.
| Method | Fossils/Hour | Skill Requirements | Extra Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sulliuscep Chopping | 5-10 | 65 Woodcutting | Woodcutting XP, logs |
| Herbiboar Tracking | 4-8 | 80 Hunter, 31 Herblore | Hunter XP, herbs |
| Underwater Activities | 3-6 | 60 Agility/Thieving | Agility/Thieving XP, mermaid tears |
Note: Rates vary based on RNG, player efficiency, and world competition.
What to Do With Your Fossils
Once you’ve stockpiled unidentified fossils, you have several options. Here’s how to make the most of your haul.
Cleaning and Museum Displays
Take fossils to the cleaning bench east of the Museum Camp (requires 5 planks, 5 nails, hammer, and level 5 Construction) or the Varrock Museum specimen table. You’ll need leather boots, gloves, a trowel, rock pick, and specimen brush. Cleaned fossils can complete displays:
- Small: 70 needed, 2,000 XP lamp per display.
- Medium: 60 needed, 3,500 XP lamp per display.
- Large/Plant: 25 each, 5,000 XP lamp per display.
Trading for Numulites
Sell fossils to the Fossil Collector at the Museum Camp:
- Small: 100 numulites.
- Medium/Plant: 200 numulites.
- Large: 300 numulites.
- Rare: 500 numulites.
Prayer Experience via Mycelium Pool
Enrich fossils at the Mycelium Pool with calcite and pyrophosphite, then use enriched bones at the Strange Machine in the House on the Hill:
Final Tips for Fossil Farming Success
To wrap up, here are some parting tips to ensure you’re getting unidentified fossils as fast as possible:
- Focus on Sulliusceps: It’s the undisputed king of fossil farming for high-level players.
- Combine Methods: Pair Herbiboar with birdhouse runs for passive fossil gains.
- Plan Your Goal: Decide if you want museum rewards, numulites, or Prayer XP to avoid wasting fossils.
- Stay Updated: Check OSRS updates (as of April 6, 2025) for potential new methods or buffs.
With these strategies, you’ll be swimming in unidentified fossils in no time. Whether you’re chopping Sulliusceps, tracking Herbiboar, or diving underwater, efficiency is your ticket to success. Happy fossil hunting, and may RNG be ever in your favor!