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Introduction
Burton Bradstock is a good place to explore for
fossils. The quality and frequency is best suited to specialists and
requires the use of a hammer and chisel. Visitors and their families can
find a variety of fossils among the foreshore rocks.
The
access point to the beach, includes plenty of pay-and-display parking and
facilities; a small cafe provides refreshments and public toilets are also
available.
Parking and
refreshments
The rock at Burton Bradstock dates from the Jurassic, between 170-190 million years ago. The majority of the cliff face is comprised of Bridport Sands, a dark yellow sandy rock dating from the Toarcian stage of the Jurassic period, between 180-190 million years ago. Above this lies the Aalenian and Bajocian rock (170-180 million years), which is packed with fossils. This rock is known as Inferior Oolite.
Burton Bradstock Cliffs
Where to look for fossils?
The best place to explore for fossils is among the backshore rocks, which have fallen from the fossil bearing Inferior Oolite rock located higher up the cliff. Collapses are less common than other areas of the Dorset coast, however the volume of each fall is often substantial.
The best place to find fossils is within debris from recent cliff falls
Fossils can also be found in the dark yellow sandy rock (Bridport sands), however these are limited to just a small number of Belemnite guards and shells (See below).
Belemnite guard within the Bridport Sand layer
For more information about the features and processes controlling coastal fossil collecting locations click here.
What fossils might you find?
Exploring
within recent cliff collapses can yield a large number of fossils, especially
ammonites, as pictured below.
Small Ammonites are abundant
Other fossils include a variety of small shells and a lesser number of large shells, like the specimen pictured below.
A large shell on the foreshore
A
large number of belemnite guards can also be found, although are not easily
removed from the rock. In a single square meter over a hundred belemnite
guards can be seen. There are also a number of larger ammonites, including
the example below, which was later removed from the matrix.
The rock is littered with Belemnite guards. Larger Ammonites can also be found.
Protecting your finds
It's important to spend some time considering the best way to protect your finds onsite, in transit, on display and in storage. Prior to your visit, consider the equipment and accessories you're likely to need, as these will differ depending on the type of rock, terrain and prevailing weather conditions.
(Left) Fossil wrapped in newspaper, ready for transport. (Right) A small compartment box containing cotton wool is ideal for separating delicate specimens.
When you discover a fossil, examine the surrounding matrix (rock) and consider how best to remove the specimen without breaking it; patience and consideration are key. The aim of extraction is to remove the specimen with some of the matrix attached, as this will provide added protection during transit and future handling; sometimes breaks are unavoidable, but with care you should be able to extract most specimens intact. In the event of breakage, carefully gather all the pieces together, as in most cases repairs can be made at a later time...continued.
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