Fantastic Fossil Finds!
Latest fossil hunt reveals secrets of the past
Over the last weekend, more than 100 people took part in another Fossil Hunt, organised by the Cotswold Water Park Society. The Society works closely with the local mineral companies to obtain permission to run these events on a regular basis, and we would like to thank Aggregate Industries and Hills Aggregates for their support.
Before entering the quarry, the enthusiastic participants, ranging in age from 6 - 60 were given an informative talk about the geology of the Cotswold Water Park by Dr Neville Hollingworth who led the hunt. Armed with safety information and equipment, tools and plenty of enthusiasm, the eager fossilers went searching amongst the gravel beds and soon found some wonderful specimens of a bygone era, when this land was covered in a warm shallow tropical sea (bit like the Bahamas!).
Remnants of marine reptiles such as an ichthyosaur vertebra and some ribs were discovered, plus mammoth tooth and tusk fragments, and of course the ubiquitous ammonites, belemnites (remains of squid like creatures) and gryphae, known locally as devil’s toenails. Some spectacular pieces of coral and fossilised wood were also collected, and with the sun shining for most of the day all agreed it was a great way to spend a Sunday in spring!
