The Oldest Footprints in the World - Locked in Stone



THESE BONES NEED A HOME
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Blue Beach, Nova Scotia has yielded the earliest collection of tetrapod tracks on Earth, with more than 2000 specimens in the study sample of the Blue Beach museum. Here is less than half of those laid out in the driveway for viewing. Prior to this only 3 examples have been described in the scientific literature. Blue Beach is now understood to produce the most significant track discoveries of the decade. We have discovered several new morphotypes, and are clarifying some of the mysteries in how early tetrapod ecosystems worked. This is one example of the acceleration of discovery at Blue Beach.

Our friends and colleagues were pleasantly intrigued by the preservation of the 350 myo footprints found at Blue Beach, Nova Scotia. New Mexico paleontologist, Dr. Spencer Lucas (left) and Nova Scotia's Natural Resources paleontologist, Dr. John Calder (right) discuss aspects of variability and clarity that make fossil footprint interpretation so interesting.
"The Blue Beach Fossil Museum has done a remarkable job in the preservation, protection, study and interpretation of the Blue Beach fossils for the benefit of all. I sincerely hope the Blue Beach Fossil Museum Society soon finds a founding patron to champion their important project; this valuable collection now exceeds the capacities of the current small museum and deserves the kind of infrastructure normally accorded to collections of such rank." Dr. Spencer G. Lucas, PhD Curator of Paleontology - NMMNH, USA
In one 'little fellows' words, 'This is the best day ever!' - These students took a closer look at the 350myo tracks on their way to the museum. In this picture they are on a mission to get to the beach, and as usual they had a lovely chaperon of the four-legged type. Jill, has hosted many visitors to Blue Beach (NS) and had been referred to as a trackmaker because of the many footprints she's left behind in the mud...

I am writing to you to present my assessment of the scientific significance of Blue Beach as a fossil site and to urge the continued work at this site of the Blue Beach Fossil Museum. Blue Beach is one of those rare places where fossil footprints and bones occur together in the same rock layers. Indeed, Blue Beach is the geologically oldest such site known. It preserves the oldest extensive assemblage of fossil footprints of early tetrapods on the planet. It thus provides a unique window into understanding the early colonization of land, a window that no other known site provides.  
Spencer G. Lucas, PhD. Curator of Paleontology
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Contact Us / Ask How / Become a Funding Champion
You Can Help Build a 'Paleo-Centre' at Blue Beach, Nova Scotia

Email us: bbfmsfundraising@xplornet.com (copy & paste)
Check out our Website: Blue Beach Fossil Museum 

Location: 127 Blue Beach Rd, Hantsport, NS B0P 1P0, Canada

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