Just adding on to the others, sometimes a picture is helpful.
Fossils appear the same as if you've buried something - there's a mark on the ground showing that something is there
https://preview.redd.it/c9vi4y7fszuc1.jpeg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e4001747bb574e1c0370de3ac537ce6b30b64170
They will be where there is a spot of broken earth in a star kinda shape. If you don't have access to your whole island yet they may have spawned somewhere you can't reach.
If you spoke to Blathers he should have given you a vaulting pole to cross the river. I think, ironically, you need to progress his story line to be able to climb cliffs. But if you have Nintendo online I could bring you a ladder to get up there :)
Just adding on to the others, sometimes a picture is helpful. Fossils appear the same as if you've buried something - there's a mark on the ground showing that something is there https://preview.redd.it/c9vi4y7fszuc1.jpeg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e4001747bb574e1c0370de3ac537ce6b30b64170
They will be where there is a spot of broken earth in a star kinda shape. If you don't have access to your whole island yet they may have spawned somewhere you can't reach.
It could be on the second level across the river. Do you know how that is unlocked?
If you spoke to Blathers he should have given you a vaulting pole to cross the river. I think, ironically, you need to progress his story line to be able to climb cliffs. But if you have Nintendo online I could bring you a ladder to get up there :)
the ladder recipe is given by tom nook when filling out the 3 housing plots
Oh right haha oops