You're riding through the Heartlands, minding your own business, when you see a woman frantically scrubbing the dirt. Meet Deborah MacGuiness. She’s an "amateur paleontologist" with some seriously questionable theories and a desperate need for your help. This kicks off the "A Test of Faith" stranger mission, one of the most tedious—but weirdly satisfying—collectible hunts in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Most players think they can just stumble upon all dinosaur bones RDR2 has to offer while hunting deer. Honestly? You won’t. These things are tiny. They’re often just a weird texture on a rock face or a rib poking out of a cliffside that looks exactly like every other rock.
Why You Can't Finish This as Arthur (Usually)
Here is the big kicker. You can't actually complete this mission as Arthur Morgan. Well, not unless you’re into using some pretty heavy exploits to get past the invisible snipers in New Austin.
Of the 30 bones, 22 are scattered across the main map—New Hanover, Ambarino, Lemoyne, and West Elizabeth. The remaining 8? They are tucked away in the Epilogue-only territory of New Austin. Unless you're using the "covered wagon" trick to block the sniper fire, Arthur is basically doomed to leave this quest in his log.
It’s kinda tragic, really. Arthur has some unique dialogue for the quest, but the "canon" way to finish it is with John Marston.
💡 You might also like: Thinking game streaming: Why watching people solve puzzles is actually taking over Twitch
Where to Find the First 22 (The "Arthur" Bones)
If you're still in the early chapters, you can still knock out the majority of these. Don't just look on the ground. Most people forget to look up. Or down. Or inside things.
The Heartlands and Lemoyne
The Heartlands is the easiest place to start. There’s one bone literally at the bottom of an oil well. Head to the oil derrick between the ‘A’ and ‘R’ in "Heartlands." Climb down that ladder. It’s dark, it’s damp, and the bone is just sitting there.
There's another one in Dewberry Creek. Look for the dried-up riverbed. It’s not actually in the mud; it’s on the side, partially buried in the dirt. If you’re near Emerald Ranch, you’re close.
The Grizzlies and Ambarino
This is where it gets annoying. The terrain in Ambarino is a nightmare for horse riding. You’ll find one bone at the O'Creagh's Run overlook. You have to climb to the literal peak. If you think you've gone too high, you probably haven't.
📖 Related: Why 4 in a row online 2 player Games Still Hook Us After 50 Years
Another one is at Calumet Ravine. It’s on a red rocky outcrop. It blends in perfectly with the stone, so spam Eagle Eye. Seriously. Without the golden "sparkle" of Eagle Eye, you will walk right past it.
West Elizabeth
Mount Shann is a hotspot. There’s a bone on a rocky slope about halfway up the mountain. If you find the giant skeleton (not a dinosaur, but cool anyway), you’re in the right neighborhood.
The New Austin 8: The Home Stretch
Once you hit the Epilogue, the world opens up. New Austin has some of the most frustrating placements.
- Gaptooth Ridge: One is on a cliff overlooking the canyon.
- Rio Bravo: Look for the Del Lobo Rock. The bone is on a small slope near the eastern tip.
- Jorge's Gap: It’s on a ridge. Basically, if you’re looking at the gap from the western side, it’s right there on the point.
- San Luis River: There’s one on a tall cliff overlooking the water. Don't fall. The physics in this game are unforgiving when you're carrying a heavy ego.
Rewards: Is It Actually Worth It?
So, why do this? Besides the 100% completion stat, Deborah actually gives you some stuff.
👉 See also: Lust Academy Season 1: Why This Visual Novel Actually Works
- 1 Bone: Quartz Chunk. You need this to craft the Bear Claw Talisman at a Fence. It slows your Health Core drain by 10%.
- 15 Bones: A Skull Statue. It’s... a statue. You can sell it for some cash, but it’s mostly just a "hey, I did the thing" trophy.
- 30 Bones: The Jawbone Knife.
After you mail the 30th location, wait 24 in-game hours. You’ll get an invitation in the mail to visit Deborah’s ranch, Firwood Rise. When you go there, you get a cutscene where she reveals her "discovery."
She calls it the Totalisaurus (scientific name: West Elizabethus). It is a horrifying chimera of different species that makes absolutely no biological sense. It’s a great gag. She thinks she’s a genius; the rest of the scientific world thinks she’s a loon.
Tips From Someone Who's Done This Twice
Use a map. Honestly, don't try to be a hero. The map in RDR2 is massive, and these bones don't have a "search area" circle like legendary animals.
Keep your horse nearby. A lot of these locations are on the edges of cliffs where one wrong step sends you into a ragdoll death spiral.
Check your mail. You have to actually go to a Post Office to "send" the coordinates. Finding them isn't enough; Deborah needs the data.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're looking to wrap this up today, start in New Hanover. It has the highest density of bones. Once you've got those, head north to Ambarino. If you're still playing as Arthur, get as many as you can, then save the New Austin trip for the late game. It’s a long haul, but that Jawbone Knife looks pretty mean in a duel.