Fossils

Discover why Lyme Regis in Dorset is such a famous locality for fossil collecting that people still flock here 200 years after Mary Anning's first famous discovery.  That find was the marine reptile Ichthyosaurus, which she found with the help of her brother Joseph.  Many other creatures from the early Jurassic swam with the Ichthyosaurs in the seas that covered Lyme Regis 200 million years ago.  Species new to science are still being uncovered here.  Discover more about some of these exciting finds.

Fossils as Living Creatures

Most fossils we find are the hard parts of creatures, such as their shells, bones and teeth.  Only rarely are soft parts found preserved.  So what did the fleshy parts of fossilised creatures look like and how do we Know?

Rockpools

The limestone and shale ledges on either side of Lyme Regis are regularly exposed by the low tides.  An exploration of the rockpools they contain can reveal a wealth of marine life.  Discover some of the problems faced by creatures living in the harsh conditions of the rocky shore.

Fossil finds on our Fossil Walks

Examples of what you might find on our Fossil Walks

Here is a poem written by a visitor to the museum who has now become addicted to collecting fossils to such an extent that she would like to move to the area.

Fossils

Searching, looking through the sand
Seeing what treasures come to hand.
The mysteries of the past still there,
Some of them hidden, some of them bare.

Walk up the beach with head held down,
searching for riches, which when found,
Offer a peek to another world,
Locked up in rock until rthey're unfurled

With chisel in hand and hammer in other,
We seek to wake what lies in slumber.
Wonderful creatures hidden from sight,
And finally now, they see the light.

It's hard to believe that they lived here,
so very far, but yet so near,
Under our feet their bodies lie,
Waiting for us, as we walk by.

We'll show them off, we'll sell them on,
As fossils now they won't be gone.
They tell a story of life unknown,
They're not just rock, shell or bone.

Louise Kent 20th December 2011 

Fossil finds on the beach

Examples of recent fossil finds in the Lyme Regis and Charmouth area