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Location and directions Directions: Access is made along the A286. Follow the road past the speed camera, then take the first exit at the small roundabout and follow the road to its end (where the sea begins). A good size car park is situated on the sea front.		Key information Geological period Eocene Approximate age 45-40 million years Fossil diversity Shark teeth, shells, turtle, fish bones... Find frequency High Dangers Outcrops are liable to collapse Equipment Trowel, Sieve, small pick Accessibility Easily accessible Local facilities Good parking and nearby shops Additional notes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
How would Bracklesham Bay have looked 45 million years ago?

Introduction

There are few places in the country where fossils are so abundant.  The geology of the area dates from the Eocene period some 45-50 million years ago.  At this time the sea was warm and shallow, marine life was rich.

Fossils can be found all year round, although it's best to visit during the winter when the clay beds are exposed on the foreshore.  For most of the year the beds are covered with sand, but a great variety of fossils can still be found on the surface.

The frequency of finds is the result of continuous wave erosion of the clay beds.  As the waves wash away the clay, the fossils become loosened eventually detaching themselves and washing ashore.

Where to look for fossils?

From the car park on the seafront, walk East towards Selsey Bill.

After several minutes walk it should be possible to find areas of the foreshore where the clay beds are exposed.  The picture below shows a large expanse of clay outcrops during February.  The volume of fossils contained within the clay is staggering.  Some of the specimens can be removed complete, as was the case with the shell picture below.

 
(Left) Clay outcrops exposed at low-tide during the winter. (Right) Fossil beds contain thousands of shells.

Caution!... the clay outcrops are very fragile and should not be stood on as seen above; moments after these pictures were taken myself and my digital camera discovered just how deep the water was!  I dried out, but the camera was destined for an early end!

At certain times of the year the clay is concealed by sand, if this is the case simply walk along the beach, paying particular attention to the breakwaters, where many of the fossils gather.  Be sure to visit while the tide is low, this will allow several hours to explore the beach.

Fossils often gather around breakwaters as the tide retreats

For more information about the features and processes controlling coastal fossil collecting locations click here.

What fossils might you find?

There are a great variety of fossils at Bracklesham including shells, sharks teeth, turtle shell, corals and more.  The majority of these fossils have a pale creamy appearance and are easily mistaken for their modern day descendants.

 Turritella inbricateria - Shells from Bracklesham Bay

Many of the fossils at Bracklesham are fragile, so care must be taken to ensure they survive the journey home.  The best way to protect the fossils is with small plastic bags, however newspaper or kitchen roll can be used for the larger finds, including the example below.

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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Picture credits: White Tipped Reef Shark and Coral Scene by Alistair Watters at travelblog.org; Stingray by unknown author at swimatyourownrisk.com; Sea Snail by Jeffrey Jeffords at divegallery.com. Safety notice: Fossil hunting can at times pose a risk to personal safety, in particular within environments close to the coast, cliffs or in quarries and when using the tools and equipment illustrated. Discovering Fossils provides a free resource to inform you about this fascinating subject and does not accept any liability for decisions made using this information. We recommend all individuals abide by the 'National Fossil Hunting Code' and independently research the potential dangers before and during the visit.

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All content and images (C) 2008 Roy Shepherd