Fossil Watches In Men
Try Fossilling In Charmouth, Dorset
Wow, an authentic piece of dinosaur in your own hand. It is a possibility…
Fossil hunting is not only for scientific types – it’s an enjoyable pursuit that can be done by the whole family. Dorset, in the south of England, provides first class fossil beds. Everyone can have a go at searching for dinosaur teeth or bones there. Why don’t you get yourself to Dorset and try this pleasurable and free activity, who knows what is going to turn up!
Dorset is home to The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site – 95 miles of remarkable coastline designated by UNESCO as having ‘outstanding universal value’. The rocks are really special because they record 85 million years of Earth’s history, spanning the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous time periods. They are particularly fossil rich.
The Jurassic coast is England’s only natural World Heritage Site and it is a treasure. It runs from Exmouth in East Devon to Studland in Dorset, home of the well known Old Harry Rocks.
You can easily while away many hours on the Dorset coast looking for fossils. A great place for fossil hunting is Charmouth. The shore has easy accessibility, vehicle parking, a café and public lavatories. Charmouth is a nice village of under 2000 inhabitants, featuring a sizeable shingle beach. It has an interesting Heritage Coast Centre on the seafront with a lot of insight on the natural history of the area. It is world famous for fossils and attracts serious collectors and beginners alike.
There are numerous fossils can be found all year round however the very best time to look is actually throughout the spring or the winter months as there are less people on the shore then, and the stormy weather and extreme high tides help to expose new fossils. Search in the shingle and on the tide line, especially as the tide starts going in. Target a small area and keep your eyes peeled.
Charmouth is especially good in the winter months. Waves lash the shore and come up over the sea wall, hurling big stones up at the same time. Surfers can be spotted too enjoying the waves.
The most common fossil at Charmouth is the ammonite. They lived in the sea between 240 – 65 million years ago and belong to a group of predators called cephalopods. Surviving relatives include the octopus, cuttlefish, squid and nautilus. It’s amazing to discover these beautiful spiral shells and to be the very first human being to hold them so many years after their death. Also in plentiful supply are belemnites. They first appeared around 208 million years ago and are relatives of the ammonites.
At one end of Charmouth beach is Black Ven and at the other is Stonebarrow. Black Ven is the largest coastal mudslide area in Europe. Ammonite impressions can be uncovered in the mud but most are so fragile that they break up if not treated very carefully. To reach Stonebarrow you have to cross a little bridge over the river. Stonebarrow is good for ‘fools gold’ ammonites and crinoids – ‘sea lilies’ which are relatives of starfish.
If you’re lucky, you might stumbled upon a really incredible find. Any significant finds must be registered with the World Heritage Team (01305 225101). After heavy rainfall in the year 2000 local collector Tony Gill found the fossilised remains of a 5m long icthyasaur, now known as ‘Mary’.
It’s easy to get hooked on hunting fossils and it’s remarkably relaxing too. Absolutely anyone can get involved, and kids seem especially good at it. You don’t have to have any special gear to look for fossils but if you are planning several hours of fossilling it helps to have sturdy shoes and also a strong bag to put your finds in. If you use a hammer you will need protective eyewear or glasses as rock fragments very easily fly up in the air. Hammers should only be used to split loose stone and not to hack at the cliff face You are probably better off just simply hunting along the shoreline anyway.
Keep in mind that rocks can fall at any time. Check the tides and only set out down the coast during a falling tide. Mudslides also occur, especially after rainy weather conditions therefore be on the lookout and don’t take foolish risks.
If you want a specialist on hand, guided walks on the shoreline can be booked from the Heritage Centre.
For fantastic views of this distinctive coastline, the nearby Golden Cap headland in between Charmouth and Seatown is the highest view on the south coast. At 191m above sea level it is a great vantage point from which to admire the magnificent Jurassic Coast of Dorset.
If this has got you interested in trying fossilling, why not take a look at some holiday cottages (try searching online for holiday cottages Dorset) and book a few days in Dorset.
Fossil men’s black transparent dial watch