Poxwell Quarries fossils and fossil collecting
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 From the A352, Take the A353 to Poxwell, you will pass through the hamlet, and on a bend, you will see an old quarry on the left hand side with a grass area to park. Poxwell is shown on 1:25,000 scale maps but is shown as 'Poxwell Mannor' under 1:50,000 scale. The disused quarry has a mobile phone mask and warning sign.
Park on the grass area, you can briefly examine the Purbeck Beds here, although they are not as productive as those by the second quarry.
From this quarry, walk along the road South (or a left from the grass area facing the road). Cross the road and continue walking South along the road.....[continued]
GRID REF: 50.65070°N, 2.37004°W
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Not for Children
Locations for microfossils are generally not recommend for children 'searching for fossils', as the finds will be made back at home or in the lab once you process them. |
Poor Access
Poxwell Quarries can be difficult to find, however, if you have a 1:25,000 scale map then the quarries are marked on the map. |
Microfossils
Fossils at this location are found when processing samples of Purbeck. |
SSSI
SSSI Please do not overcollect, only take a few samples from the scree. |
Common sense when collecting at all locations should be taken. There are no real dangers at this location apart from care should be made at the first quarry, as the cliff face overhangs a lot. However the fossils are found at the second quarry, and this is so overgrown that cliff falls are not possible. |
Accommodation
Higher Spence
Farm Cottage, beautiful location 3 miles Charmouth. Double and Family rooms En Suite.
£20-£22.00 per night per adult. Under 12, Half Price.
Contact: Christine Nutkins
Tel: UK (01297) 560556
Tel: International +441297 560556 Address: Higher Spence, Wootton, Fitzpaine, Charmouth, Dorset.
Email: higherspence@eurolink.ltd.net Website: (Typing "Higher Spence into your search engine)
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We are a holiday agent for 120 carefully selected and inspected cottages within 10 miles of Dorset's spectacular World Heritage Coast and Path. All are old, many are beamy and thatched, most have open fires or logburners plus central heating. Rents include electricity, gas etc. and all linen/towels.
Please call: 0800 9804070 for a Brochure or visit our website on www.dorsetcoastalcottages.com
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£10/Year or 'FREE' for return links from accommodation website pages. |
Last updated:
last visited:
Written by: |
08/03/08
2008
Alister and Alison Cruickshanks
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| Fossils from Poxwell Quarries are 'Microfossils' so you will need to take samples back home and process, then view in a microscope. A sieve is also recommend for processing samples. You will require a chisel pick for splitting the layer....[more] |
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Microfossils are found within the white chalky micrites layer and some within the harder layer directly above the micrites layer. You will know when you have the correct layer, as it feels like soft chalk and will rub off easily on your hands. It is in the middle beds of the small outcrop around 140cm above the ground when standing next to it.
The best way to process your samples is to break them down with acid. This will separate the fossils. If this is not possible, then the material is actually quite soft and small pieces can easily be crumbled in your hands. This method may cause some fossils to become damaged, however, strong acid can be hard to source these days due to strict regulations on selling it....[more]
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Jurassic, 145mya |
The Purbeck Beds at Poxwell are from the Lulworth Formation. The fossils are found from the 'White chalky micrites layer' at the second quarry. This is of Portlandian age, from the Jurassic period, around 145 million years old. . ....[more]
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Microfossils from Poxwell Quarries are abundant. In particular, this location is well known for its insect and fish remains. Including small beatles fragments. Ostracods and small shells are also very common here. You can just make out the tiny black/brown remains in the material, but you do need to have a microscope to view these in full. ....[more]
Fish Remains from Poxwell Quarry ....[more]
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Other Locations similar to Poxwell Quarries
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Stone Tumblers |
Microscopes |
Test Sieves for Microfossils |
If you are interested in fossil collecting, then you may also be interested in a stone tumbler (Lapidary). You can polish stones and rocks from the beach which
will look fantastic polished using a stone tumbler.
You can polish rough rock and beach glass whilst collecting fossils, on those days where you come back empty handed.
These are all high quality machines to give a professional finish to your samples. They can even be used for amber and fossils. |
At most locations, you can find microfossils. You only need a small sample of the sand. You then need to wash it in water and sieve using a test sieve. Once the sand is processed, you can then view the contents using a microscope.
We have a wide range of microscopes for sale, you will need a Stereomicroscope for viewing microfossils. The best one we sell is the IMXZ, but a basic microscope will be fine. Once you have found microfossils, you will need to store these microfossils.
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Test Sieves are used when searching for microfossils. Microfossils can be found in many locations, and all you need is a small amount of sample such as clays, sands and shales, or if you have acid, limestone, oolite or chalk.
Our UKGE Store sells Endecotts Test Sieves, which are the highest in accuracy and extremely durable and long lasting. These Test Sieves are fantastic for microfossils. Endecotts Test Sieves come in a variety of sizes, frame material and types, they are certificated to EU Standards. |
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and Fossil Magazine |
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