They were similar to a Brontosaurus with their distinctive long necks and tails, very small heads, large body, and walked on all fours. Sauropods include some of the largest plant-eating dinosaurs that have existed and were a successful group for nearly 150m years. This dinosaur backbone discovery dates back about 176m years to the Middle Jurassic period and was found on a beach at Whitby falling from a cliff face. This infilling is resistant to erosion preserving the print. Some of these prints have been preserved for over 160 million years! Sauropod discovery These prints act almost like casts as harder material would have been washed in them as the silt hardens. Dinosaurs would leave their footprints in the silt and mud on the beaches and deltas. Over the millions of years that dinosaurs roamed this area the sea levels would rise and fall. During the Jurassic period, this coastal area was low-lying and warm. Dinosaur footprints were first discovered on the Yorkshire coast in Saltwick in 1895. It’s true! dinosaurs lived on the Yorkshire Coast in the middle of the Jurassic period. Whitby Jet is also found amongst the rocks and shale. It is not a place for swimmers but fossil hunters may well find both ammonites and belemnites. Saltwick Bay is south of Whitby and at times access can be fairly difficult due to the erosion of the steps on the path.Upgang Whitby Beach, Whitby Sands and Tate Hill Beach are the closest to the town but known more for families to enjoy the sands rather than for fossils.Sandsend Beach itself to the south is family-friendly but not so productive for fossils. The shale banks are filled with belemnites close to the surface. Sandsend Ness is another favourite among fossil collectors.Ammonites and other fossils are regularly found on the foreshore and on the shale cliff face. It is not suitable for children because access is difficult. Kettleness Bay is to the west of Runswick Bay, a fairly remote cove whose appeal is largely fossils.Ammonites are regularly found here when you search among the tidal debris and the rocks. Runswick Bay is the next place heading south to Whitby, a beach of sand and rock with plenty of rockpools to explore.There are ammonites and reptile remains regularly found by those who do get down to the beach. Port Mulgrave is a little to the south and you must take care if you head down to the beach in search of fossils so it is not a place for kids.Kids will be impressed if they find fools gold which comes in small pieces iron pyrite. There are organised tours centring on Staithes although you are more than welcome to search independently. Staithes was Captain Cook’s home but it is also the northern end of the Dinosaur Coast.One of the region’s nicknames is the Dinosaur Coast and palaeontologists and those interested in fossils in general head here from far and wide. You will enjoy each of them, and there is a chance that you can find fossils during your time there. Whitby is surrounded by beaches, to the north and south. Where can you find fossils in and around Whitby?
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