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You are currently here: Home > Fossil Locations > South West > Quantoxhead |
In partnership with JuniorGeo |
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Introduction
Quantoxhead in Somerset, is an excellent place to find fossils. The Jurassic geology is most famous for the variety of Ammonites, Nautilus and other marine creatures which can be found there. During our recent visit, it was possible to find several high quality specimens, in particular a very large Nautilus.
The beach is accessible via the A39, but is poorly signposted. If heading from the East, you first pass through the village of Kilve. Keep traveling West for another mile, until you reach a turning on the right towards 'East Quantoxhead', see below (LEFT).
(Left) Quantoxhead is accessible via East Quantoxhead. (Right) Plenty of parking is available in the church grounds.
The car park is located about half a mile from the coast. Make sure you bring a supply of food and drink as their are no facilities in the immediate area. To access the beach, exit the car park and follow the public footpath behind the duck pond and past the cottages.
(Left) The friendly locals enjoy visitors. (Right) Follow signs towards the 'Beach'.
The locals seemed happy to see us, and obligingly posed for a quick photo! Soon after, you'll reach a signpost indicating the path towards the beach.
Where to look for fossils?
The
best fossils can be found by heading West along the beach where the rate of
cliff erosion is at its greatest. At first the fossils appear to be
limited to pieces of large ammonite among the foreshore boulders, however closer
inspection of the materials at the base of the cliff reveals a diversity of
fossils. It's worth noting that hardhats should be worn at all time and
inexperienced visitors should keep well clear of the cliff base.
The cliffs and foreshore strata is quite dramatic and prone to frequent collapse.
The dramatic foreshore runs in horizontal layers of limestone and shales, which over time has led to the formation of natural amphitheatre-like structure.
From the base of the cliff to the top spans around two million years, with the earliest/oldest rock found at the base of the cliff. These layers of limestone (orange) and shale (black), were formed from changes in the climate during the Jurassic period around 200 million years ago. During periods of high temperature plankton (tiny marine organisms) thrived, as these creatures died their bodies fell to the sea floor. Over time these tiny carbonate skeletons created think layers of sediment, which combined with other organic sediments to lay down the foundations for what would later become limestone. This limestone is now evident in bands of horizontal orange strata.
However, during colder periods plankton was less abundant, and the primary sediment was formed from organic life, including a high proportion of marine vegetation. This organic rich material is now visible as dark bands of strata, known as shale.
For more information about the features and processes controlling coastal fossil collecting locations click here.
What fossils might you find?
The most frequently found fossils include a range of Ammonites and Nautilus, both of which lived in the Jurassic seas 180-205 million years ago. The large specimen below is in excellent condition, and was found in the condition pictured.
Large limestone Ammonite - found in the condition as pictured
To learn more about Ammonites click here.
Below are a small selection of the vast number of fossils found on the day.
(Left) Ammonite alongside a piece of marine vegetation. (Right) Ichthyosaur vertebra
(Left) Isaac pictured with his excellent ammonite find. (Right) Squashed ammonite within the shales.
(Left) Large Nautilus found at the foot of the cliffs. (Right) Large Ammonite found on the foreshore.
(Left) Mass burial: Ammonites. (Right) Large shell on the foreshore.
Three beautiful Ammonite specimens found by Sake Kuipers and Hielke Kuipers (2006)
Matthew pictured with a great selection of ammonites in a single boulder.
The visit to Quantoxhead was extremely rewarding. The volume and diversity of fossils were very high, as was the quality. If you're planning a trip to the area, especially if you're leading a group, please be aware of the unstable cliffs. During our visit several collapses were observed.
BBC1 Filming - 'British Isles - A Natural History'' series
Roy and Amanda (Presenter) discussing what the fossils tell us about the Jurassic environment
Click here for some pictures taken during the filming.
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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