RDR2 All Dinosaur Bone Locations And Complete Collection Guide

Tracking down every hidden fossil in Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most rewarding challenges for completionists exploring the massive open world. This sprawling archeological endeavor, known as the Test of Faith quest line, requires players to uncover 30 fossilized remains scattered across diverse environments. Successfully completing this search is essential for achieving perfect completion status and securing unique in-game rewards.

Initiating the Paleontology Quest

The journey begins in Chapter 2, where players can meet an eccentric archeologist named Deborah MacGuiness just southeast of Horseshoe Overlook. She tasks Arthur Morgan with mapping the locations of prehistoric remains hidden throughout the frontier. Activating this stranger mission unlocks the ability to send coordinates via any post office in the game.

As you explore the wilderness, utilizing your Eagle Eye ability becomes entirely essential for spotting the subtle visual indicators of buried fossils. The glowing gold particles will guide you to crevices and rock faces where the bones are embedded. Taking your time to inspect each site carefully ensures the coordinates are logged correctly in your journal.

Scouring the Northern Territories

The majority of the prehistoric remains are located across the early game regions, particularly throughout New Hanover, Ambarino, and West Elizabeth. Players will need to navigate steep mountain trails, dangerous cliffsides, and deep forest valleys to uncover these ancient relics. Several specimens are hidden in plain sight along the rocky banks of the Dakota River and within the plains of The Heartlands.

Venturing further north into the snowy peaks of Ambarino reveals additional fossils tucked away near isolated ridges. These northern locations require careful traversal to avoid fatal falls from the high-altitude topography. A few well-hidden bones can also be discovered around the forested perimeter of Cumberland Forest and the rocky areas of Roanoke Ridge.

Unlocking the New Austin Border

While players can find 22 fossils early in the story, the final 8 remains are strictly gated behind the southern border in New Austin. This means completing the collection is impossible until the epilogue chapters when the southern territories become safely accessible. The arid landscapes of Gaptooth Ridge, Cholla Springs, Rio Bravo, and Hennigan's Stead house these final pieces.

Navigating the desert requires thorough exploration of sun-bleached canyons and remote hilltops where bones blend seamlessly into the environment. Keeping a close eye on your surroundings while riding through the dusty trails will prevent you from missing these final components. Once the final location is recorded, players can finally head to a post office to submit their complete findings.

Claiming the Ultimate Rewards

Submitting the coordinates in stages provides players with useful milestone items, including quartz chunks and a unique wooden statue. However, the true prize awaits after mailing all 30 locations to the paleontologist. Deborah will invite the player to her laboratory to witness her completed prehistoric reconstruction project.

During this final narrative encounter, players are officially rewarded with the rare Jawbone Knife, a unique melee weapon featuring a custom carved handle. This collectible tool serves as a symbol of your dedication to the extensive tracking quest. Ultimately, completing this historical hunt provides a deep sense of satisfaction alongside valuable progress toward total game mastery.