New Park Quarry facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
| Area of Search | Gloucestershire |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°57′09″N 1°44′46″W / 51.952467°N 1.746044°W |
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 1.3 hectare |
| Notification | 1987 |
New Park Quarry is a very special place in Gloucestershire, England. It is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its unique geology. This means it has important rocks and fossils that scientists want to protect and study.
This site covers about 1.3 hectares, which is roughly the size of two football fields. It was officially recognized as an SSSI in 1987. New Park Quarry is also listed as a Regionally Important Geological Site (RIGS) in the local plan for the Cotswold District. This shows how important its geological features are to the region.
Contents
Discovering Ancient Life at New Park Quarry
New Park Quarry is located in the northern part of the Cotswolds, close to a village called Longborough. This site is like a treasure chest for scientists because it holds the well-preserved remains of ancient animals.
Fossils of Dinosaurs and Crocodiles
At New Park Quarry, scientists have found parts of Crocodiles and Dinosaurs. These remains are often found "disarticulated," which means the bones are separated rather than in a complete skeleton. Even so, they provide amazing clues about life millions of years ago.
The Oldest Jurassic Dinosaurs in the UK
The fossils found here are part of a rock layer called the Chipping Norton Formation. What makes this site incredibly special is that these dinosaur remains are thought to be the oldest collection of dinosaurs from the Jurassic time period ever found in the United Kingdom.
Why This Site is Important for Science
Because of these ancient discoveries, New Park Quarry is extremely important for scientific research. Scientists can study these fossils to learn more about:
- How these ancient crocodiles and dinosaurs lived.
- What their environment was like.
- How these species changed and developed over millions of years.
This site helps us understand the early history of dinosaurs and crocodiles in the UK and how life evolved during the Jurassic period.
