Dryhill Nature Reserve facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Kent |
|---|---|
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 11.7 hectares (29 acres) |
| Notification | 1996 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Dryhill is a really special place near Sevenoaks in Kent, England. It's known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its amazing geology. This means it's a protected area where scientists can study important natural features.
Part of Dryhill, about 9.5 hectares (23 acres), is also a Local Nature Reserve. This makes it a great spot for both nature and science!
Discovering Dryhill: A Window to the Past
Dryhill used to be a quarry, which is a place where rocks are dug out of the ground. Because of this, we can see layers of rock that are usually hidden. These rocks are super old! They date back to the Cretaceous period, specifically a time called the Aptian stage, about 120 million years ago. Imagine, dinosaurs were walking the Earth when these rocks were forming!
What Makes Dryhill So Special?
Dryhill is famous for its incredible collection of fossils. You can find many different types of ancient sea creatures here, especially brachiopods and bivalves.
- Brachiopods: These are small, shelled sea animals that look a bit like clams, but they are actually a different group of animals. They have been around for a very long time!
- Bivalves: These are animals like clams, oysters, and mussels. They have two shells that are hinged together.
These fossils are really important for scientists who study palaeoecology. This is the study of ancient environments and how living things interacted with them millions of years ago. By studying the fossils at Dryhill, scientists can learn a lot about what the Earth was like during the Cretaceous period.
Visiting Dryhill
If you want to explore this amazing geological site, you can find access from Dryhill Lane. It's a fantastic place to learn about Earth's history and see some incredible ancient fossils up close.
