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Demopolis (Black Belt): Fossil Hunting in Marengo County, Alabama

Updated July 2026

Demopolis gives its name to the Demopolis Chalk, part of the Selma Group that makes Alabama's Black Belt one of the premier Late Cretaceous marine fossil regions in the world. The chalky clays yield shark teeth from goblin, crow, and mackerel sharks along with oysters, ammonites, and the marine reptiles of an 80-million-year-old sea. Most creek exposures are private, so public collecting runs through the navigable Tombigbee and Black Warrior gravel bars, and protected vertebrate fossils must be left in place. Reported finds include fossils, shark teeth, calcite, marcasite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Demopolis (Black Belt) photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

A sandbar on the Tombigbee River at Demopolis, Marengo County, Alabama

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Marengo County
State: Alabama
Coordinates: 32.51800, -87.83600

Geology at Demopolis (Black Belt)

This spot sits on Selma Group; Demopolis Chalk, mapped as Cretaceous chalk. Limestone like this typically forms in ancient seas, so marine fossils such as brachiopods, corals, and crinoids tend to weather out of fresh exposures.

Mapped unit: Selma Group; Demopolis Chalk
Age: Cretaceous
Rock types: chalk
Elevation: 120 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Demopolis (Black Belt)

Best months: September to June. Typical highs run 92°F in midsummer and 57°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 34°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, DEMOPOLIS L&D station (3 mi away).

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Demopolis (Black Belt)

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Demopolis (Black Belt).

Across the state line from Demopolis (Black Belt)

Demopolis (Black Belt) is close enough to the Alabama border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

WaynesboroTop pick in MississippiWayne County, Mississippi · 75 mi awayFossils, Petrified Palm Wood

Demopolis (Black Belt) FAQ

Where is Demopolis (Black Belt)?+

Demopolis (Black Belt) is in Marengo County, Alabama, at 32.51800, -87.83600.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Demopolis (Black Belt)?+

Demopolis (Black Belt) is reported to produce Fossils, Shark Teeth, Calcite, Marcasite.

Is collecting allowed at Demopolis (Black Belt)?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Demopolis (Black Belt)?+

A rock hammer, a cold chisel, safety glasses, and newspaper or foam for wrapping finds cover most fossil ground. A trowel and a sieve help in soft exposures.

When is the best time to visit Demopolis (Black Belt)?+

The most comfortable months at Demopolis (Black Belt) are September to June. Typical highs run 92°F in midsummer and 57°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 34°F.

How do I get to Demopolis (Black Belt)?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 32.51800, -87.83600 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

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