Fossils fuel knowledge of the earth’s distant past
LONG-EXTINCT creatures will return to the seaside town of Redcar to roam the streets for three days this month, to celebrate the annual Yorkshire Fossil Festival.
The festival is an exploration of art, science, heritage and live entertainment and has recently been held in Scarborough Spa and Whitby Museum.
This year it will by outside the TunedIn! centre on Redcar seafront, from May 25 to 27, and will be held alongside Redcar Kite Festival.
For fossil enthusiasts there is a chance to learn more about them, including guided beach walks where you can visit a prehistoric forest or discover the fossils of Jurassic giants among the rocks, guided by scientists who can help you learn about and identify extinct creatures.
Experts in attendance include scientists from the British Geological Survey, the University of Leeds, Whitby Museum, York Museums Trust and others.
Festival co-directors, Dr Liam Herringshaw and Steve Cousins, said: “Fossils are a deep dive into the planet’s past and they also help us take flight into the future.
“They are in the news at the moment, not least with the recent discovery by a 15-year-old girl in Somerset of what’s believed to be the largest ever ichthyosaur. The rocks there are of very similar age to Redcar’s, and many marine reptile fossils have been found along this coast – who knows what we might find? We’re really looking forward to working with our friends at the Redcar Kite Festival for a memorable weekend.”
Earlier this year, rare crocodile bones were found near Whitby, thought to date back 180 million years.
The fossil was found by fossil hunter Mark Kemp and shows vertebrae, ribs, legs bones, parts of the jaw bone and the bony plates on its back known as scutes.
Rocks on Yorkshire’s coast are older in the north and the 35-mile stretch from Staithes to Flamborough is aptly known as the Jurassic Coast.
Jurassic fossils, famously found in Lyme Regis in Dorset, can also be found in places like Runswick, Robin Hood’s Bay and Boggle Hole.
Among the fossils visitors can get to know more about at the festival are curvy Jurassic seashells, known as devil’s toenails, which are commonly found on Redcar beach. Palaeontologist Dr Jed Atkinson will be on hand to tell some toenail tales and explain why common doesn’t have to mean boring.
Fossil experts from across the country will also be there to show visitors their discoveries and to help you identify your own finds.
There will also be walks, talks and workshops to join in, plus a festival field day on May 27, more details on which will be provided later.
There will be entertainment including street theatre, dance, live music and circus, with artists including Let’s Circus and The Rock Showman and Friends.