A team went out last week to rescue some fish from the pavements of Edinburgh! Instead of RSPCA officers this was a team of 'rescue paleontologists' for the fish were 400 million year old fossils!
Tom is currently preparing the specimens for research and display..... there's the potential to uncover new species of fish and other hidden treasures in the flags. Watch this space for updates from Tom. If you want to see the fish come along to the open day where Tom will be showing them off and explaining the importance of 'rescue paleontology' in our modern world.
Project members: Dr Alistair McGowan (BGS, University of Glasgow), Dr Tom Challands (University of Edinburgh, Geovertical), Dr Jeff Liston (NMS), Dr Wendy Turner (NMS), Sally Wild (BGS Murchison House), Dr Emrys Phillips (BGS Murchison House), Brian McIntyre (BGS Murchison House), Eileen Callaghan (BGS Murchison House),John Lawson (City of Edinburgh Council, Museum of Edinburgh), Martin Wilkinson (Transport Officer, City of Edinburgh Council), Peter McCarter (Tarmac), Ken Shaw (Edinburgh Geological Society).
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| Consolidating fossil material prior to lifting of paving slabs (Dr Tom Challands, Dr Jeff Liston, Sally Wild, Eileen Callaghan) BGS©NERC |
The fish were entombed in Caithness Flagstones on East Market Street but thanks to a keen-eyed member of the public they've been located, lifted and stored here at Murchison House (Scottish HQ of BGS).
Other specimens have also been spotted in flags outside the Scottish Parliament and the Royal Commonwealth Swimming Pool.
These Devonian fish would have thrived in sub-equatorial lakes (at about the same latitude that South Africa occupies today). Some of our pavement specimens are up to 60cm in size. The operation to preserve and study these fossils highlights the exciting treasures that lie beneath our feet in the city of Edinburgh.
Geologist Dr Tom Challands says “There’s almost an entire Devonian food chain buried in the streets of Edinburgh!”
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| Visible scales of a fossil fish - to be on display at Murchison House Open Day |
Tom is currently preparing the specimens for research and display..... there's the potential to uncover new species of fish and other hidden treasures in the flags. Watch this space for updates from Tom. If you want to see the fish come along to the open day where Tom will be showing them off and explaining the importance of 'rescue paleontology' in our modern world.
Project members: Dr Alistair McGowan (BGS, University of Glasgow), Dr Tom Challands (University of Edinburgh, Geovertical), Dr Jeff Liston (NMS), Dr Wendy Turner (NMS), Sally Wild (BGS Murchison House), Dr Emrys Phillips (BGS Murchison House), Brian McIntyre (BGS Murchison House), Eileen Callaghan (BGS Murchison House),John Lawson (City of Edinburgh Council, Museum of Edinburgh), Martin Wilkinson (Transport Officer, City of Edinburgh Council), Peter McCarter (Tarmac), Ken Shaw (Edinburgh Geological Society).
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