Thursday, June 28, 2007

Jurassic Park?

James Moore, 49, of Redcar hopes to have made a Jurassic discovery off Saltburn’s shoreline after coming across what could be dinosaur fossils visible in the slate bed below Huntcliff. The region's coastline is known as the Jurassic Coast as it offers a rich hunting ground for fossil finders. Mr Moore was collecting shellfish at the base of Huntcliff around dusk when he noticed what appeared to be a giant backbone embedded in the rock about 200yards from the cliff face. He has been in touch with the Dorman Museum in Middlesbrough and Tees Archaeology in Hartlepool, who now plan to visit the site next week to take a closer look at his discovery.
Mr Moore said, “It tapers away with the head part not visible, as it is further under the slate. I could make out an arm and a claw, it’s a red rock which makes it distinctive against the grey slate.” Experts will have to work around the changing tide to verify Mr Moore’s discovery with something like four hours between the tides to examine the find.
Peter Roe, of Tees Archaeology, said: “I’m looking forward to going out to see it and recording what we find.” Geology experts will also examine Mr Moore’s discovery with the aim of shedding light on the species and whether it is a common find.

No comments: