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You are currently here: Home > Fossil Locations > Scotland > Aberlady |
In partnership with JuniorGeo |
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Discovering Fossils wish to thank Brian McGhee for taking the time to prepare this location review.
Introduction
View looking from the red-roofed building towards the outcrop.
This area is easily accessed from a few different points, 10ft high at worst with good footing to be found, the east side of the outcrop is the simplest. We weren't the only ones out enjoying the sunshine (see photo below).
Seals basking on the beach.
Where to look for fossils?
Fossils can be found in foreshore boulders and in the low cliffs, although hammering of these cliffs is not allowed as the site is a SSSI; however the large number of scattered boulders makes this unnecessary as it provides plenty of loose material.
For more information about the features and processes controlling coastal fossil collecting locations click here.
What fossils might you find?
When we visited there were numerous fossils that were best left in the boulders as removing them would destroy them (see below).
When extraction is possible then they do provide some nice bryozoans (see below).
Some lovely corals were also found, but these were definitely best left alone as they are relatively fragile, (see below).
Trace fossils are plentiful in the form of what appear to be fossilised worm-casts, but are more likely to be the feeding traces formed by Trilobites.
Large brachiopods (e.g. Spirifer, Dictoclostus, Eomarginifera, Composita) can also be found in these rocks, (see below).
Various boulders have small crinoid columnars preserved within, some are exposed and occasionally present as compressed stem sections (see below). I was lucky enough to find a small trilobite pygidium (also pictured below). Trilobite parts are not often found here so they were definitely the icing on the cake.
Unfortunately they would have been destroyed if I had tried to extract them so I left them for others to observe.
Further west you can find large blocks of large yellow/brown blocks of limestone consisting mostly of colonies of Lithostrotion junceum and L. pauciradiale, also referred to as 'spaghetti rock' or 'macaroni rock'. I found a small piece of this where I collected (see below).
Foreshore rock containing Lithostrotion
Protecting your finds
It's important to spend some time considering the best way to protect your finds onsite, in transit, on display and in storage. Prior to your visit, consider the equipment and accessories you're likely to need, as these will differ depending on the type of rock, terrain and prevailing weather conditions.
(Left) Fossil wrapped in newspaper, ready for transport. (Right) A small compartment box containing cotton wool is ideal for separating delicate specimens.
When you discover a fossil, examine the surrounding matrix (rock) and consider how best to remove the specimen without breaking it; patience and consideration are key. The aim of extraction is to remove the specimen with some of the matrix attached, as this will provide added protection during transit and future handling; sometimes breaks are unavoidable, but with care you should be able to extract most specimens intact. In the event of breakage, carefully gather all the pieces together, as in most cases repairs can be made at a later time...continued.
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