Huntsman's Quarry facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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The main entrance and weighbridge at Huntsmans Quarry
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| Area of Search | Gloucestershire |
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| Coordinates | 51°55′55″N 1°49′08″W / 51.931923°N 1.81888°W |
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 1.6 hectare |
| Notification | 1974 |
Huntsman's Quarry is a special place in Gloucestershire, England. It's a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which means it's protected because of its amazing natural features. This quarry covers about 1.6 hectares, which is like three football fields! It was officially recognized as an SSSI in 1974.
This site is also known as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS) and a Regionally Important Geological Site (RIGS). These titles show how important Huntsman's Quarry is for both wildlife and understanding Earth's history.
What Makes Huntsman's Quarry Special?
Huntsman's Quarry is located in the beautiful Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. What makes it truly unique are the rocks found here. They show us a special type of rock called Cotswold Slate. These rocks formed during the Middle Jurassic period, which was a very long time ago!
A Window to the Jurassic Past
The Cotswold Slate at Huntsman's Quarry is like a time capsule. It holds many fossils from the Middle Jurassic period. Scientists have found a huge variety of ancient plants and animals here.
Imagine finding remains of incredible creatures like:
- Reptiles, including ancient turtles, crocodiles, and even flying pterosaurs!
- Dinosaurs! Yes, parts of dinosaurs have been discovered here too.
- Fish and starfish that swam in ancient seas.
- Tiny barnacles and insects.
- Bivalves, which are like clams and oysters.
These fossils help scientists learn about what the Earth was like millions of years ago. They also find special fossils called ammonites, which are important for figuring out the age of different rock layers.
Ongoing Discoveries
Huntsman's Quarry continues to be a very important place for research. Scientists are still studying the rocks and fossils to understand the ancient environments of the Middle Jurassic period. Every new discovery helps us piece together the puzzle of Earth's past!
