Fossil Hunting
| Welcome to the Jurassic Coast!The Isle of Portland is formed from the youngest Jurassic age rocks, the 135 million year old Portland Limestone and Lower Purbeck Beds.
In terms of fossils, Portland Limestone is the most important source of marine reptiles from the late Jurassic period in the world. Though discovering ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs and turtles may not be a regular phenomenon (some specimens on display in the Dorchester County Museum and the Portland Museum) shells and ammonite are a common feature of the island. Visitors, especially young enthusiasts, will have much to find in Portland even during the briefest expeditions. |
 Ammonite – Hallelujah Bay – Chesil Samples such as this can be found throughout the coastline Some can reach nearly 1 metre in diameter! |
Huge areas of fossil forests have unfortunately been quarried away over many years (as like many of the beautiful island caves being lost to quarrying) but one of the finest remaining exposures can be seen in the western corner of Kingsbarrow Quarry, about 300 metres from the Portland Heights hotel towards Easton. The fossil forest is best developed in the North of the island and generally disappears to the South.
Those visiting Dorset on a Fossil Hunt will find Richard Edmonds’ Discover Dorset: Fossils (77 pp. The Dovecote Press, ISBN 1-874336-652) quoted in this section as a valuable resource. (Photos Izzy 2002)
Other Information:
Visit the Jurassic Coast site for more on the World Heritage status.
Lyme Regis Philpot Museum
Bridge Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3QA.
Tel: 01297 443370.
Website: www.lymeregismuseum.org.uk
Dinosaurland, Coombe Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3NY.
Tel: 01297 443541.
Website: www.dinosaurland.co.uk
Dorset County Museum, High West Street, Dorchester.
Tel: 01305 262735.
Website: www.dorsetcountymuseum.co.uk
Dinosaur Museum, Icen Way, Dorchester.
Tel: 01305 269880.
Website: www.dinosaur-museum.org.uk
Portland Museum, Wakeham, Portland.
Tel: 01305 821804
Portland Sculpture Trust, The Drill Hall, Easton Street, Portland DT5 1BW.
Website: www.learningstone.net
RIGS, c/o Dorset Wildlife Trust, Brooklands Farm, Forston, Dorchester
DT2 7AA. Tel: 01305 264620
Other books:
“Geology of the Dorset Coast“, (ISBN 0 7073 0485 7),
“The Hampshire Basin and Ajoining Areas“, (ISBN 0 11 880195 3) or
“Discover Dorset Geology or Fossils” published by the Dovecote Press
