| The Jurassic coastline of Dorset is a fossil hunting | | | | joys of fossil hunting along our Dorset coast. If |
| haven for both novice and experienced fossil | | | | you plan to try fossil hunting for the first time, it |
| collectors. The 150km (95 mile) stretch of | | | | is best to first check the weather forecast and |
| coastline covering Dorset and East Devon spans | | | | tide tables. High tides and rough seas produce the |
| 185 million years of geological history and has | | | | most fossils but these conditions can be |
| been granted World Heritage Status. | | | | dangerous. At this time of year you need to be |
| Pliosaur Remains found in Dorset | | | | equipped with warm jackets, water proof clothing, |
| November and April are generally the best times | | | | and sturdy boots and wait until the tide is on the |
| to go fossil hunting in Dorset as this is the period | | | | way out before setting off. |
| when mud flows and cliff falls expose fresh | | | | The cliffs around Lyme Regis contain lots of well |
| material for enthusiasts to explore. Recently, 25 | | | | preserved fossils and the safest place to hunt for |
| large pieces of a fossil collected by Mr Sheehan, a | | | | fossils is the beach, not the cliffs. If you are a |
| local amateur fossil collector, were identified by | | | | novice collector, it is good to watch what other |
| palaeontologists as a Pliosaur. Only one fragment | | | | experienced fossil collectors are doing, where they |
| was missing from the front of the jaw. This | | | | are looking and what sort of rocks they are |
| marine reptile measuring in the range 10-16 | | | | interested in. Watch how they examine and break |
| meters lived about 140 million years ago and was | | | | the rocks and learn what types of rock are likely |
| believed to have been so powerful it could have | | | | to contain fossils. |
| bitten a car in half. | | | | There exists a fossil collecting code of practice |
| The extremely rare find, in almost pristine | | | | that applies to most of our coastline here in West |
| condition, has been purchased by Dorset County | | | | Dorset. The golden rule is you can continue to |
| Council for £20,000 with money form the | | | | keep fossils found on the beach or in material that |
| Heritage Lottery Fund. David Tucker, the County's | | | | has already broken away from the cliff, but you |
| museums advisor, said: "Our aim is to purchase | | | | must not dig from or chip away at the cliff itself, |
| fossils found along the Jurassic Coast World | | | | for safety and other reasons. The code can be |
| Heritage Site and to get them into local museums | | | | accessed at the Jurassic Coast website. |
| - we want to put really exceptional fossils in | | | | If you come across something unusual or |
| museums." Experts think this latest discovery | | | | interesting, take it to the Heritage Coast Centre |
| could represent one of the largest pliosaurs ever | | | | at the sea front at Charmouth. The experts can |
| found. | | | | assess and identify your find. |
| Fossil Hunting on the Jurassic Coast | | | | Who knows, you may discover the Pliosaur's |
| The discovery of the Pliosaur has captured | | | | missing jaw piece! |
| people's imagination and they are discovering the | | | | |