Red Dead Redemption 2 is a world defined by its attention to detail, and few side activities embody this more than the search for prehistoric remains. Tracking down all 30 dinosaur bones scattered across the map is a requirement for those aiming for 100% completion. It is not just a checklist task; it is an expedition that takes you from the rolling hills of the Heartlands to the most treacherous cliffs of the Grizzlies, and eventually into the scorching deserts of New Austin. Completing this collection quest, titled "A Test of Faith," rewards you with unique items and one of the most distinctive melee weapons in the game.

Starting the Quest: A Test of Faith

Before you can begin officially cataloging these fossils, you must trigger the Stranger Mission. You can find the paleontologist, Deborah MacGuiness, in the Heartlands of New Hanover. She is located in a small excavation site just northeast of Flatneck Station. You will see her brushing dirt off a massive rib cage in the ground.

Speaking to her initiates "A Test of Faith." Arthur (or John, depending on your progress) agrees to mail the coordinates of any dinosaur bones found across the frontier back to her. Once you discover a bone, you don't pick it up; instead, you inspect it, and the protagonist will jot down the location. You then need to visit any Post Office to mail these coordinates to Deborah.

The Reward Milestones

Collecting these bones is done in stages, with rewards sent to you via the Post Office after a brief period of in-game time passes following your mailings.

  • 1 Bone Mailed: You will receive a Quartz Chunk. This is a vital crafting ingredient used by the Fence to create the Bear Claw Talisman, which permanently decreases your Health Core drain speed by 10%.
  • 15 Bones Mailed: You receive the Skull Statue. This is a unique collectible item that can be sold to a Fence for a decent amount of cash.
  • 30 Bones Mailed: Once all coordinates are submitted, Deborah will send you an invitation to her ranch at Firwood Rise in Cumberland Forest. Visiting her there concludes the mission and rewards you with the Jawbone Knife, a custom hunting knife crafted from a prehistoric fossil.

Regional Breakdown of All 30 Dinosaur Bones

Finding these bones without guidance is nearly impossible, as many are embedded in cliff faces or hidden under thick brush. Using Eagle Eye (pressing both thumbsticks) is essential, as the bones will emit a golden particle glow when the ability is active.

The Heartlands and Lemoyne (6 Bones)

  1. Heartlands Oil Field: This is one of the most clever placements. Locate the oil derrick in the Heartlands. There is a ladder leading down into the well beneath the derrick. Climb down to the bottom to find the fossil embedded in the cave wall.
  2. Heartlands Grassy Hill: North of the Oil Fields, look for a cluster of trees on a relatively flat, grassy ridge. The bone is sitting right on the surface among the grass.
  3. Heartlands Southern Gorge: Follow the dried-up riverbed that runs near the Oil Fields. Head toward the northern end of this gorge. The bone is located on the upper slopes near the ridge line.
  4. Heartlands Abandoned Shack: South of the H in "Heartlands" on the map, there is a small, dilapidated shack. The bone is located on the ground just a few yards south of the structure.
  5. Scarlett Meadows (Dewberry Creek): Head to the northern part of Lemoyne. In the dried-up creek bed of Dewberry Creek, look for an area where the banks are particularly steep. The bone is tucked into the mud and rocks of the western bank.
  6. Heartlands Cliff Face: Travel to the border of the Heartlands and Cumberland Forest. There is a massive cliff overlooking the Dakota River. The bone is located on a narrow ledge about halfway down the cliff face. Be careful with your footing here; one slip is fatal.

Cumberland Forest and Roanoke Ridge (6 Bones)

  1. Cumberland Forest Six Point Overlook: Head to the very top of the cliffs at Six Point Overlook. The bone is situated right at the edge of the precipice, providing a view of the forest below.
  2. Cumberland Forest Bacchus Station: Just southwest of Bacchus Station, there is a high ridge overlooking the river. You will find the bone near a distinctive stone spike at the top of the cliff.
  3. Roanoke Ridge Valley Overlook: This one is located north of Annesburg. Look for the cliff that overlooks the path heading down toward the Brandywine Drop waterfall. The bone is on the rocky plateau.
  4. Roanoke Ridge Kamassa River: Follow the Kamassa River north from Elysian Pool. On the western side of the river, there are several tiered cliffs. The bone is on an intermediate level, hidden behind some small shrubs.
  5. Roanoke Ridge Van Horn: Travel south of the Van Horn Trading Post. Look for a clearing hidden among the trees. The bone is lying flat on the ground and can be hard to see without Eagle Eye due to the shadows of the canopy.
  6. Roanoke Ridge Copperhead Landing: Just west of the landing, in a rocky outcrop, look for the bone embedded in the side of a large boulder.

Ambarino (5 Bones)

  1. Grizzlies East O'Creagh's Run Overlook: High on the ridgeline west of the lake at O'Creagh's Run, you will find this bone among the jagged rocks. The climb is steep, so ensure your horse has high stamina.
  2. Grizzlies East Calumet Ravine: In the red rocky outcrops near the northern edge of the map, look for a ledge near the top of the ravine. The bone is embedded in the red siltstone.
  3. Grizzlies East Dakota River Ledge: This is located on the northern side of the Dakota River, directly across from Valentine. It sits on a small ledge just below the very top of the cliff.
  4. Grizzlies North Northern Boundary: Way up in the north, near the border of the map, there is a grassy hill. The bone is sitting out in the open, but the harsh weather often obscures visibility.
  5. Grizzlies West Rock Wall: Located near the base of a massive rock cliff in the western Grizzlies. This area is often snowy, so look for the golden glow of Eagle Eye against the white background.

West Elizabeth (3 Bones)

  1. Big Valley Northern Cave: Inside a cave at the bottom of Mount Hagen. This is a deep cave, and you will need a lantern to find the bone near the very back of the cavern.
  2. Big Valley Rocky Slope: On a rocky hill south of the "W" in West Elizabeth. The bone is located on a relatively flat area of the slope, surrounded by pine trees.
  3. Big Valley Beryl's Dream Overlook: Near the entrance of the Beryl's Dream mine, follow the winding trail up the mountain. The bone is on a cliff edge overlooking the valley.

New Austin (10 Bones)

Note: The remaining 10 bones are located in New Austin. Under normal gameplay conditions, Arthur Morgan cannot access this area due to the "Invisible Sniper" mechanic and high bounty hunter presence. These are intended to be collected during the Epilogue.

  1. Hennigan's Stead Pike's Basin: Located on a plateau at the western end of the canyon known as Pike's Basin. You will need to navigate around the rim to find a path down to this specific ledge.
  2. Hennigan's Stead San Luis River: Just north of the small island in the San Luis River. The bone is on a hill overlooking the shore.
  3. Cholla Springs High Desert: Located at the base of a hill inside a small, naturally formed rock wall. This area is very open, making the bone easier to spot from a distance.
  4. Cholla Springs Jorge's Gap: Southwest of Jorge's Gap. Look for a cluster of bushes on a hill; the bone is hidden within the foliage.
  5. Rio Bravo Del Lobo Rock: On the eastern slope of the massive Del Lobo Rock formation. The bone is near the summit, tucked into a crevice.
  6. Rio Bravo San Luis River: Another river-adjacent bone. This one sits on a large rock plateau overlooking Fort Mercer. It provides a clear line of sight to the fort's entrance.
  7. Gaptooth Ridge North Tumbleweed: On the east side of the canyon overlooking Tumbleweed. It sits at the very top of the cliff.
  8. Gaptooth Ridge South Tumbleweed: Located on the southeast edge of the plateau overlooking the town of Tumbleweed.
  9. Great Plains Northern Boundary: Located near the border between West Elizabeth and New Austin, on a flat plain. It is one of the few bones not associated with a cliff or cave.
  10. Rio Bravo Plain: Found in the middle of a large flat expanse in Rio Bravo, sticking out of the desert sand like a jagged tooth.

Expert Strategies for the Hunt

To make this journey more efficient, it is recommended to collect the bones region by region. Do not wait until you have all 30 to visit a Post Office. Mailing them in batches ensures you receive the rewards, like the Quartz Chunk, early enough to actually use them during the main story.

Managing Your Horse and Gear

Many of these fossils are located on treacherous terrain. Using a sure-footed horse with high bravery, like a Mustang or a Hungarian Halfbred, can prevent you from being bucked off near cliff edges. Additionally, always carry a Lantern. Several bones, particularly in West Elizabeth and the Heartlands, are located in dark wells or caves where sunlight does not reach.

Using Eagle Eye Effectively

Eagle Eye is the most powerful tool in your arsenal. The dinosaur bones are small and often share the same color palette as the surrounding rocks. When Eagle Eye is active, the bones will pulse with yellow light. If you are in the general area marked on a map but cannot see the bone, stand still, trigger Eagle Eye, and slowly scan the horizon. The glow can be seen from a significant distance, even through light brush.

The Final Confrontation at Firwood Rise

After mailing the 30th coordinate, wait about two in-game days. You will receive a final letter from Deborah MacGuiness. She invites you to her home at Firwood Rise, located in Cumberland Forest. When you arrive, you will see the fruit of your labor: a gargantuan, albeit anatomically impossible, "monster" she has constructed from the various bones you located.

Following a brief cinematic where Deborah explains her "scientific" findings, she will present you with the Jawbone Knife. This weapon features a blade made from a fossilized jaw, complete with serrated teeth. It is a unique piece that cannot be found anywhere else in the game and serves as a badge of honor for completing one of the longest scavenger hunts in RDR2.

Conclusion on the Prehistoric Hunt

While the search for dinosaur bones is time-consuming, it is one of the most rewarding ways to see the vast diversity of the map. From the deep forests of the east to the arid deserts of the west, the quest forces you to explore the nooks and crannies of the frontier that you might otherwise overlook during the main story missions. Whether you are doing it for the 100% completion trophy, the Quartz Chunk for your health talisman, or the savage beauty of the Jawbone Knife, finding every dinosaur bone is a quintessential RDR2 experience.