<p>"Steve's book is not just a collection of his insights, but a practical guide that will help you engage with the wonders of shoreline palaeontology. It will open new worlds of wonder as you collect and select the mineralised remnants of ancient life on sandy, muddy, pebbly, or rock-strewn beaches. His conversational style and ability to make complex topics understandable make Steve the perfect guide for seasoned collectors and newcomers."</p> <p><em>- Tim Littlewood, Director of Science, Natural History Museum, London</em></p>
Fossils on the Seashore is an expert and accessible guide to exploring the palaeontological richness of Britain’s coastal landscapes.
While inland sites are increasingly off-limits, the UK’s extensive coastline remains a specimen-rich wonderland of fossils and fossiliferous rock, shining a light on questions of palaeoecology, preservation and trace fossils.
A retired geologist and expert palaeontologist, Dr Stephen Donovan balances scholarly knowledge with practical guidance. Designed for easy reference in the field, each chapter is concise and self-contained, equipping readers with the knowledge to identify fossils, understand ancient ecosystems, and appreciate the processes behind fossilisation
Fossils on the Seashore brings the author’s extensive field experience to life, unlocking the geological and palaeontological secrets of the past from Britain’s remarkable coastal landscapes. It is an indispensable resource for both amateur enthusiasts and emerging palaeontologists.
Fossils on the Seashore aims to introduce the specimen-rich wonderland of the coast to nascent palaeontologists.
PART I: INTRODUCING ASPECTS OF THE BEACH. 1: Introduction: On the Beach. 2: Molluscs or Pebbles? 3: Sandy Beaches. 4: Pebbles and Cobbles on the Beach. 5: Aktuo Paläontologie. 6: Health and Safety.
PART II: WHAT TO LOOK FOR. 7: Provenance. 8: Corals and sponges. 9: Bryozoans. 10: Crabs. 11: Barnacles. 12: Gastropods. 13: Bivalves. 14: Cephalopods, Scaphopods and Chitons. 15: Worms and Their Tubes. 16:Echinoids.
PART III: WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO SEE. 17: Margate, Kent. 18: Sandown, Isle of Wight. 19: Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex. 20: Overstrand, Norfolk. 21: Easington, Co. Durham. 22: Isle of Mull, Scotland