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| Protected Sites |
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| Grinshill Quarry SSSI, Shropshire |
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| Grinshill Quarries SSSI, Shropshire, comprises
a single active quarry and a network of disused quarries in the Triassic
Grinshill sandstones, deposited approximately 240 million years ago.
Over the years, the site has yielded a number of articulated specimens
of the otherwise very rare small reptile Rhynchosaurus. The reptile's
closest relatives are known from Tanzania. More recently, fossil footprints
have also been found in the quarry. |
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| The sandstone is currently extracted as
a high grade building stone. It is this on-going extraction that offers
the best opportunity for new reptile finds. To capitalise on this,
the quarry operators are following a voluntary collecting code that
ensures that any potentially interesting fossil bones and footprints
are safeguarded. More common finds, such as fossil ripple beds, are
placed on one side for visitors to see. This is an excellent example
of co-operation between quarry operator and geologist to ensure that
an active quarrying process still provides the opportunity for new
fossil finds. |
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Fossil-bearing rock samples made available
for study by the operators of Grinshill Quarries SSSI, Shropshire.
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| Photo: Colin Prosser, Natural England |
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