Tetrapods in Berwickshire fill the Gap
FOR decades scientists have been fascinated by Romer’s Gap – the missing period in evolution between 360 and 345 million years ago when four-legged animals emerged from water onto land. But until a globally important find was made in the Borders in 2012, only theories existed as to how it happened. Not one fossil from the period had ever been found. In 2009 Scots palaeontologist Stan Wood started investigating outcrops of rocks at Chirnside, Berwickshire, and was astonished to discover tetrapod fossils from within the Romer’s Gap time period. What makes these small, lizard-like creatures unique is that they have five fingers, just like humans. The fossils showed progressive changes as well, with younger ones displaying better limb structure and increasingly well-developed lungs for breathing out of water. The missing chapter in evolution had been found. The discovery even attracted the attention of Sir David Attenborough, who said: ‘To learn of a site in this country, which must surely be counted among the most extensively explored, in geological terms, is wonderful and exciting.’ WHERE TO GO: The specimens were discovered on the banks and bed of the River Whiteadder near Chirnside, in Berwickshire, in a spot known as Willie’s Hole. However, if you want to see them for yourself then head to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, which has acquired the collection and recently toured it across Scotland.