Tag: fossils

October 29, 2022

Mile-deep mine-shaft shows Jurassic Whitby was stormy and stinky

A borehole drilled nearly a mile down into the rocks beneath Whitby, North Yorkshire, has provided scientists with an amazing new record of ancient climate change. It shows that – 182 million years ago – the Jurassic seas of North Yorkshire were stormy, stinky, and very unpleasant for sea-life.

Categories Media/Research

August 8, 2022

The Yorkshire Fossil-Finder’s Guide

Fossils are the preserved remains of ancient life, and show how life on Earth has changed over time. Fossils can be found by anyone, of any age or experience, and fossil-finding can bring enormous pleasure. The scientific study of fossils is called palaeontology, and all people, of all ages and experience, can contribute to this science. Many parts of Yorkshire,...

Categories Outreach/Teaching

March 15, 2022

Ancient crustaceans as ecosystem engineers

In the last few months, I’ve given two public online talks with this title. They attempt to explain that the fossil record shows that marine crustaceans have been engineering new habitats for millions of years. Should you wish to watch the version I gave to the Geologists’ Association meeting in honour of Joe Collins, you can view it here:

Categories Outreach/Research/Teaching

November 25, 2021

The Big Brigg GeoBlitz!

Filey Brigg, on the North Yorkshire coast, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its Jurassic geology and its importance as a wintering habitat for small purple dinosaurs. It has much more to offer, though – something for almost every species of natural scientist, it transpires: Like palaeontology? Filey Brigg has body and trace fossils! Like sedimentology? Filey Brigg...

Categories Outreach/Teaching

July 22, 2021

The Great York Fossil Hunt

Can you really find fossils on the historic streets of York? Yes you can, as we explain in this introductory video: Fossils such as ammonites, bivalves, burrows, corals and crinoids can all be found in the cobbled streets, buildings, and gardens of York. You can download a short guide to them below: If you’re interested in hunting for fossils in...

Categories Outreach/Teaching

April 23, 2021

2021 Fossils and Geology events

Please find below a list of the fossils and geology events and activities I am leading, or involved with, in 2021: New for 2021, our York Hidden History walks (with Dr Simon Rogerson) are now up-and-running, with a theme of ‘Elemental York’. Each walk takes place within the mediaeval city walls of York, and lasts around 2 hours. Tickets are...

Categories Outreach/Teaching

January 25, 2021

Yorkshire Coast Fossils

What books should you buy if you’re interested in Yorkshire Coast fossils? Well, I recommend these ones: The Geology of the Yorkshire Coast (Pete Rawson & John Wright) – Geologists Association field guide. Trilobites, Dinosaurs & Mammoths (James McKay) – beautifully illustrated introduction to Britain’s prehistoric life. Yorkshire Rock (Richard Bell) – another splendidly illustrated introduction, this time to the...

Categories Teaching

December 8, 2020

Trilobites: an introduction

This page provides resources for the Hidden University class ‘Trilobites: an introduction’ run by Dr Liam Herringshaw of Hidden Horizons. The trilobites handout (including the specimen list) can be downloaded here Online examples of some of the specimens can be found below: Acaste downingiae (Lapworth Museum of Geology) Asaphus cornutus (Virtual Fossil Museum) Calymene blumenbachii (Lapworth Museum of Geology) Cybantyx...

Categories Outreach/Teaching

November 10, 2020

An Introduction To Fossils

The materials used/mentioned in my Hidden Horizons online palaeontology course, An Introduction To Fossils, can be found below. The specimens in the GeoEd ‘Diversity of Life‘ set are as follows: Fossil name Fossil type Higher group Age Where from? Acervularia luxurans Coral Cnidarians Silurian UK Albertosaurus sp. Dinosaur tooth Reptiles Late Cretaceous Canada Calymene blumenbachii Trilobite Arthropods Silurian Dudley, UK...

Categories Outreach/Teaching

October 24, 2020

Chalking With Dinosaurs, part 5

After an interval of many months, I’ve been prompted to finally produce a fifth part of Chalking With Dinosaurs, featuring me making footprints in the sands of Scarborough’s South Bay, and then hunting dinosaur footprints in the rocks of the South Cliff: The video features as part of my live ‘Chalking With Dinosaurs’ talks at the Lyme Regis Virtual Fossil...

Categories #ChalkingWithDinosaurs/Outreach/Teaching