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The Importance Of Scotland’s Fossils In Both Science And Education

Scotland’s fossils are of great scientific and educational value. They provide an insight into prehistoric life and allow the reconstruction of environmental conditions that existed millions of years ago, as Scotland drifted across the face of the Earth. They enable us to piece together past life and its evolution to the present day.

Permian age sandstone (250 million years old) from the Elgin area, showing tracks and tail drag marks made by animals that inhabited an ancient desert environment

Permian age sandstone (250 million years old) from the Elgin area, showing tracks and tail drag marks made by animals that inhabited an ancient desert environment.
Image provided by Scottish Natural Heritage

This is the science of palaeontology. Fossils are also crucially important for dating rocks and comparing rock sequences regionally, nationally and internationally (the science of stratigraphy). The role of fossils is vital in the search for oil, gas and coal, all essential for our day to day existence.

Fossils are also an essential component in educating and training geology students, by helping to aid an appreciation of biological evolution and geological processes in general.
www.scottishgeology.com - Website maintained by Hunterian Museum -

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