This EarthCache takes you to St Andrew's Square. To help you identify what to look at, the below photograph indicates what to look at.
The stone is limestone. Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate. Many,but not all limestones are composed of skeletal fragments of marine organisms.
This type of limestone is known as Jura Limestone, and it comes from Bavaria in Germany.
This type of limestone was formed during the Jurrasic period, which is also known as the age of reptiles, during this time, a shallow tropical sea covered the area now known as Bavaria. In the limestone was can see evidence of some of the creatures that once lived in this sea, and we are here to look for a specific type of fossil - a sponge.
A fossil is trace or remains of a plant, animal or other organisms. However, there is more to fossilization than just bones, or remains of a T Rex.
There are many EarthCaches which can teach you about the whole process of fossilization, what we are concerned with is this specific feature.
We are here to look for something rather special, a sponge fossil. Sponges still exist, and are marinevanimals that stay fixed in place, and gather their nutrients by filtration of water
Sponges are some of the earliest animals, and it has been said that it is the common ancestor of all animals. Sponges tend to be tube shaped, but can get other shapes. This is a simple EarthCache, ideal for diverting the kids, or an escape from the tourist trail..
This being an EarthCache, in order to log it, I ask that you answer the above questions. Please send them to me, and do not include them in your log. You can send them to me by using the message facility or email, both of which can be found by looking at my profile.
1. Looking at the area indicated white in the photograph, please describe the shape and colour of the sponge fossil.
2. What type of limestone is this?
3. What type of rock is limestone?
4. To prove you have been to St Andrew's Square, please find Paddington Bear, and have a photograph taken sat with him, or of your device.