Abbey Wood SSSI facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Greater London |
|---|---|
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 6.3 hectares |
| Notification | 1987 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Abbey Wood is a special natural area in Abbey Wood, London. It covers about 6.3 hectares, which is like 15 football fields! This site is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its amazing geology. It's located within Lesnes Abbey Woods, near the old ruins of Lesnes Abbey.
One of the coolest things about Abbey Wood is that you can dig for fossils! There's a special spot called the Fossil Bed. If you get permission from the Lesnes Abbey ranger, you can search for ancient treasures yourself.
Contents
Discovering Abbey Wood's Ancient Secrets
Abbey Wood is like a time capsule, holding secrets from 50 to 60 million years ago! This was during the late Paleocene and early Eocene periods, long before humans existed. Scientists study the rocks and fossils here to learn about Earth's past.
What Makes Abbey Wood So Special?
This site is incredibly important for understanding ancient life. It's one of the best places in Britain to find fossils from these ancient times.
Amazing Animal Finds
- Mammals: Scientists have found fossils of 22 different types of mammals here. These ancient creatures give us clues about how mammals lived millions of years ago. Some of them are similar to animals found in North America from the same period.
- Birds: Abbey Wood is also home to a very rare bird fossil. It's one of only two Paleocene bird fossils ever found in Britain! This fossil, called Marinavis longirostris, was a large seabird. Finding it helps experts understand how ancient seabirds like albatrosses and pelicans evolved.
- Fish and Sharks: Many fossilized fish and shark teeth have been discovered here. Some of these fish fossils are "type specimens," meaning they are the very first examples of a species ever found. This helps scientists identify other similar fossils.
Protecting Our Past
Because Abbey Wood is so important, it's listed in the Geological Conservation Review. This means it's recognized as a top site for geology in Britain. It helps us learn about ancient mammals, fish, amphibians, and birds. Protecting places like Abbey Wood ensures that future generations can also learn from these incredible natural records.
