Lyme Regis, Charmouth
and the surrounding area attract fossil enthusiasts
from far and wide. 200 million years
ago the area supported a rich diversity of life and
these creatures have been well preserved as fossils.
The
rocks containing these fossils came to the surface about
15
million years ago. Evidence
of this can be seen when walking along the beach.
Another factor which makes this area
so good for fossiling is the massive natural erosion.
Landslips are common and it is advisable not to walk too
near the cliff edge.
The
limestone and shale, hide a variety of fossils. The most
common finds include Ammonites,
Brachiopods and
Bivalves. Ammonites are the shells of extinct relatives
of today's Nautilus, a cephalopod (like octopi, squids
and cuttlefish).
There
is evidence of fossiling to be found all around Lyme Regis.
Many buildings have original fossils built into their
walls.
Amateur
fossil hunters will find all they need to know about fossils
and where to find them from the Lyme Fossil shops and
Charmouth Fossils.
