(a) The ownership of any fossil, artifact or non- fossilized animal remains discovered in the strata below the surface lands and waters of the state is vested in the owner of the surface estate, unless otherwise governed by W.S. 7-4-106. (b) When used in any instrument, the term "minerals" does not include fossils, artifacts or non-fossilized animal remains. (c) As used in this section: (i) "Fossil" means any fossilized remains, traces or imprints of organisms, preserved in or on the earth's crust, that are of paleontological interest and that provide information about the history of life on earth, but does not include coal, oil, gas or other hydrocarbons; (ii) "Artifact" means any material remains of past human life or human activities that are of archaeological interest.
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