Bugle Quarry facts for kids

Bugle Quarry is a special place in Hartwell, Buckinghamshire. It is a very small area, only 0.08 hectares. This site is important for its geology. It is called a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it is protected because of its unique rocks and fossils.

What is Bugle Quarry?

Bugle Quarry is a small, protected area. It is important for studying Earth's history. Geologists have learned a lot from its rocks. The site helps us understand ancient times. It shows how the environment changed long ago.

A Look Back in Time

Scientists have been studying Bugle Quarry for over 150 years. In 1958, the quarry was filled in. This happened during road improvements. But geologists from Queen Mary College, London dug it up again the next year. They wanted to keep studying its secrets. The site was re-opened again in 1984. Today, it is fenced off to keep people safe.

Dinosaurs and Ancient Seas

Bugle Quarry holds clues from a very long time ago. Its rocks formed between 152 and 139 million years ago. This was during the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods. Imagine a world with dinosaurs!

Life in Ancient Times

The quarry was once a key place to study two rock groups. These are the Portland and Purbeck Groups. Scientists found tiny creatures called ostracods here. These small animals helped them understand the past. They showed how the area changed from land to sea.

Dinosaur Discoveries

Many dinosaur teeth have been found at Bugle Quarry. Some teeth belonged to a huge dinosaur called Pelorosaurus. These are the only teeth of this type found in Europe from that time. Scientists also found teeth from Megalosaurus. This was a large meat-eating dinosaur. These teeth are the only ones found in Britain from the same period. These finds help us learn about ancient dinosaurs.

Visiting Bugle Quarry

Bugle Quarry is located on private land. It is part of the Hartwell Riding Stables. Because of this, the public cannot visit the site. It is protected and studied by scientists.