The use of different stones in building and paving in our cities can allow us to observe many types of fossils in fairly close proximity, even when they are separated by millions of years of geological time. This earthcache takes you to two locations in the city centre, and references two other examples. You will need a ruler or other measuring equipment to complete this earthcache.
Location 1 - SW Corner of Royal Mile and George IV Bridge
Locate the triangular sign of the 2010 Civic Trust Award - see spoiler photo if needed. In the wall below this plaque are two distinctive fossils.
Question 1: Describe the stone - colour, granularity, other features - and the fossils - size, shape, name. Do the fossils appear complete?
Question 2: The internal lines of these fossils can be used to determine the age of the rock in which they occur - they are described as "index fossils" If these lines are very wriggly, the fossils are at the older end of their range, if they are smooth and straighter, they are at the younger end. Describe the internal lines. Where in the index range do you think this rock falls?
Location 2 - St Andrew Square
This area was recently renovated and opened up to the public. Without causing an obstruction, examine the paving stones in this area. You should see white areas in the slabs.
Question 3: Describe the stone - colour, granularity, other features - and the white areas - size, shape, internal features. Do they appear complete?
Question 4: What do you think the white areas are? Are they fossils? Are they mineral intrusions? Are they something else? What made you come to your answer?
Other locations
Flagstones with fish fossils have been noted (and removed for preservation from) East Market Street, by Holyrood and by the Commonwealth Pool see here for details, and there are examples of ammonites and belemnites behind the Omni Centre, next to the Playhouse - go around the back and down the long stairs to Greenside Row.
To log this earthcache, please send me the answers to Questions 1 to 4 through my profile. You may log the earthcache AFTER submitting your answers. Logs without associated answers will be deleted. If there is a problem with the answers I will contact you.
This cache was part of the Edinburgh Earthcache weekend and geocoins are available here