Fossil Collecting on the South Dorset Coast – Book Review
A Review of “Fossil Collecting on the South Dorset Coast”
The revered UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Jurassic Coast” has far more to offer fossil enthusiasts than just the congested beaches associated with Lyme Regis and Charmouth. Head east towards Weymouth, travelling forward in deep geological time through the Jurassic and into the Cretaceous and the visitor to such places as Redcliffe Point, Bowleaze Cove and West Weare Cliff can be rewarded with some fantastic fossil discoveries. In addition, intrepid explorers can enjoy some of the most spectacular and picturesque parts of the coast of southern England.
Providing a guide to this beautiful part of the world, is a new book written by dedicated fossil collectors Steve Snowball and Craig Chivers. Entitled “A Guide to Fossil Collecting on the South Dorset Coast”, this is one book that does exactly what it claims to do in the title and what an excellent read it is too!
Fossil Hunting Guide with a Focus on the South Dorset Coast
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.
Exploring a Range of Prehistoric Landscapes
Aimed at amateur fossil collectors as well as general visitors to the Dorset coast, this, the second volume in the series, takes the reader eastwards along the Dorset coast heading in the direction of Weymouth, the Isle of Portland and beyond. The western part of the Dorset coast, covered in the first book, dealt with the fossils that can be found in the marine deposits associated with Lyme Regis, Seatown and the coastline eastwards towards Burton Bradstock.
In this guide, the reader is given the opportunity to explore different ancient environments as the rocks along the shoreline provide clues to ancient lagoons, dinosaur dominated floodplains as well as ancient seas populated by ammonites, corals, dense beds of oysters and exotic sea urchins.
An Example of a Sea Urchin (Holaster spp.) from the Cretaceous Upper Greensand Exposures of Ringstead Bay
Picture credit: Snowball and Chivers
Fossil Collecting on the “Jurassic Coast”
Following a general introduction section, outlining the importance of the “Jurassic Coast”, the reader is provided with information regarding the fossil collecting code and then schooled in the geology of the region. The brief guide to the geology and landscapes of south Dorset then leads onto a series of chapters that provide details on excursions that can be undertaken to prospect for fossils. Each location is beautifully illustrated with stunning photographs of the fossils that can be found and the ancient prehistoric landscapes are brought to life by Andreas Kurpisz, from a shallow sea with an oyster reef to a herd of brachiosaurs wandering across what would eventually become part of the Purbeck Formation.
A View of Bowleaze Cove from Redcliff Point
Picture credit: Snowball and Chivers
Detailed Information About Fossil Collecting on the Isle of Portland is Provided
Picture credit: Snowball and Chivers
“A Guide to Fossil Collecting on the South Dorset Coast” provides a comprehensive overview on fossil collecting opportunities along the coast of southern Dorset, it is essential reading for fossil collectors and for those wishing to explore eastwards along the “Jurassic Coast” from Burton Bradstock.
Published by Siri Scientific Press, “A Guide to Fossil Collecting on the South Dorset Coast” can be found here: Purchase the Book Here.
To read Everything Dinosaur’s review of the first book in this series: A Review of “A Guide to Fossil Collecting on the West Dorset Coast”.