Minecraft wiki entry for Fossils, associated text: Once a fossil is found, dig all around it to make sure there is nothing dangerous. Fortunately, lava is the main concern when mining, and lava does not usually generate so high up in the world. Once the fossil is excavated, you may want to take a screenshot of it, as fossils are rather rare, and you may not encounter one again for a long time. Then, start mining the fossil. You can mine both the bone blocks and coal ore with any type of pickaxe, but if you use your hands, it will drop nothing but if for some reason bone blocks goes great for your build then you can make a base in side or around the fossil.