List of fossil sites
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a worldwide list of important and/or well-known localities where fossils have been found. Such locations may either be a geological formation or a single site.
Geological formations consist of rock that was deposited throughout a specific period of time. They usually extend for large areas, and sometimes there are different important sites in which the same formation is exposed. In such cases, the sites should be listed under the appropriate formation. On the other hand, many formations are for all practical purposes only studied at a single site, usually the type locality.
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
[edit] Africa
|
| Site | Country/State | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Afar Depression | Ethiopia | Pliocene |
| Ahl al Oughlam | Morocco | Late Pliocene |
| Awash River | Ethiopia | Pliocene |
| Baharija Formation | Egypt | Upper Cretaceous |
| Clarens Formation | South Africa | Lower Jurassic |
| Cradle of Humankind - Coopers Cave - Kromdraai - Motsetsi - Plovers Lake - Sterkfontein - Swartkrans and others |
South Africa | Pliocene-Pleistocene |
| Elliot Formation | South Africa | Triassic-Jurassic |
| Erlhaz Formation | Northern Africa | Lower Cretaceous |
| Fayum Formation | Egypt | Eocene |
| Gladysvale Cave | South Africa | Pliocene-Pleistocene |
| Hadar Formation | Ethiopia | Pliocene |
| Herto Bouri | Ethiopia | Pliocene |
| Hoedjiespunt | South Africa | Pleistocene |
| Jebel Irhoud | Morocco | Pliocene |
| Jebel Qatrani Formation, | Egypt | Oligocene |
| Karoo Supergroup | Southern Africa | Permian-Triassic |
| Klasies River Caves | South Africa | Pleistocene |
| Koobi Fora | Kenya | Pliocene-Pleistocene |
| Laetoli | Kenya | Pliocene-Pleistocene |
| Lothagam | Kenya | Miocene |
| Maevarano Formation | Madagascar | Upper Cretaceous |
| Olduvai Gorge | Tanzania | Pliocene |
| Omo Kibush | Ethiopia | Pliocene-Pleistocene |
| Rusinga Island | Kenya | Miocene |
| Taung | South Africa | Pliocene |
| Tegana Formation | Northern Africa | Lower Cretaceous |
| Tendaguru Formation | Tanzania | Upper Jurassic |
[edit] Antarctica
| Site | Age |
|---|---|
| López de Bertodano Formation | Cretaceous |
| Mount Kirkpatrick Formation | Triassic-Middle Jurassic |
| Santa Marta Formation | Upper Cretaceous |
| Seymour Island | Eocene |
| Vega Island | Cretaceous-Paleocene |
[edit] Asia
| Site | Country/State | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Barun Goyot Formation | Mongolia | Upper Cretaceous |
| Bayan Shireh Formation | Mongolia | Upper Cretaceous |
| Bissekty Formation | Uzbekistan | Cretaceous |
| Bugti Hills | Pakistan | Oligocene |
| Chaomidianzi Formation | China | Lower Cretaceous |
| Chengjiang | China | Cambrian |
| Dabeigou Formation | China | Cretaceous |
| Daohugou Beds | China | Jurassic or Cretaceous |
| Dashanpu Formation | China | Middle Jurassic |
| Dashuigou Formation | China | Lower Cretaceous |
| Djadochta Formation | Mongolia | Upper Cretaceous |
| Eijnhoro Formation | China | Lower Cretaceous |
| Es Skhul | Israel: Mount Carmel | Pliocene |
| Flaming Cliffs | Mongolia | Cretaceous |
| Huadian Formation | China | Eocene |
| Indricotherium Formation | Kazakhstan | Oligocene |
| Irdin Manha Formation | Mongolia | Eocene |
| Iren Dabasu Formation | China | Upper Cretaceous |
| Jindong Formation | Korea | Cretaceous |
| Jiufotang Formation | China | Lower Cretaceous |
| Khukhtek Formation | Mongolia | Lower Cretaceous |
| Kerman | Iran | Jurassic [1][2] |
| Kitadani Quarry | Japan | Lower Cretaceous |
| Kota Formation | India | Lower Jurassic |
| Lake Nojiri | Japan | Pleistocene |
| Lameta Formation | India | Upper Cretaceous |
| Lang Trang Caves | Vietnam | Pleistocene |
| Liang Bua Cave, Flores | Indonesia | Pleistocene |
| Lufeng Formation | China | Jurassic |
| Maleri Formation | India | Upper Triassic |
| Minhe Formation | China | Cretaceous |
| Nemegt Formation | Mongolia | Upper Cretaceous |
| Oi Formation | Japan | Miocene |
| Qafzeh | Israel: Nazareth | Pliocene |
| Saketi Fossil Park | India | Pleistocene |
| Sao Khua Formation | Thailand | Lower Cretaceous |
| Shishugou Formation | China | Upper Jurassic |
| Tabun | Israel | Pliocene |
| Tham Khuyen Caves | Vietnam | Jurassic |
| Tiaojishan Formation | - | - |
| Trinil, Java | Indonesia | Pleistocene |
| Tuchengzi Formation | China | Lower Cretaceous |
| Tugulu Group | China | Lower Cretaceous |
| Udurchukan Formation | Russia | Upper Cretaceous: Maastrichtian? |
| Ulansuhai Formation | China | Lower Cretaceous |
| Wucaiwan Formation | China | Middle Jurassic |
| Xiagou Formation | China | Cretaceous |
| Xinminbao Group | China | Lower Cretaceous |
| Xiushan Formation | China: Guizhou | Lower Silurian: Llandovery |
| Yixian Formation | China | Lower Cretaceous |
| Yuliangze Formation | China | Upper Cretaceous |
| Zhongming Formation | China | Devonian |
| Zhoukoudian | China | Pleistocene |
[edit] Australia/New Zealand
| Site [3] | State/Territory/region | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Alcoota | Northern Territory | Miocene |
| Apex chert, Pilbara Craton | Western Australia: Marble Bar | Archaean eon |
| Bathans Formation | Otago (New Zealand) | Miocene |
| Bluff Downs | Queensland | Pliocene |
| Bullock Creek | Northern Territory | Miocene |
| Cape Range | Western Australia | Miocene |
| Cuddie Springs | New South Wales | Pleistocene |
| Dinosaur Cove | Victoria | Cretaceous |
| Dinosaur Dreaming | Victoria | Cretaceous |
| Ediacara Hills | South Australia: Flinders Ranges | Ediacaran |
| Emu Bay shale | South Australia: Kangaroo Island | Lower Cambrian |
| Etadunna Formation | Oligocene/Miocene | |
| Georgina Basin | Queensland, Northern Territory | Neoproterozoic to the late Paleozoic |
| Gogo Formation | Western Australia | Devonian |
| Great Otway National Park | Victoria | Cretaceous |
| Horseshoe Bay Limestone downs | Waikato (New Zealand) | Cretaceous |
| Knocklofty Formation | Tasmania | Lower Triassic |
| Lake Callabonna | South Australia | Pleistocene |
| Lake Mungo | New South Wales | Pleistocene |
| Lake Palankarinna Fossil Reserve | South Australia: Tirari Desert | Pliocene |
| Lancefield Swamp | Victoria | Pleistocene |
| Lightning Ridge | New South Wales | Cretaceous |
| Mammoth Cave | Western Australia | Pleistocene? |
| Mampuwordu Sands Formation | South Australia | Pliocene |
| Murgon | Queensland | Eocene |
| Naracoorte Caves | South Australia | Pleistocene |
| Quanbun | Western Australia | Pliocene/Miocene |
| Riversleigh | Queensland | Oligocene/Miocene |
| Wianamatta Series | New South Wales: Sydney | Late Triassic |
[edit] Europe
| Site | Country/State | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Aetokremnos | Cyprus | Holocene: Mesolithic |
| Argile Plastique | France | Lower Eocene |
| Atapuerca | Spain | Pleistocene |
| Batallones | Spain | Miocene |
| Bembridge Marls | England | Oligocene |
| Borgloon Formation | Belgium | Oligocene |
| Buñol | Spain | Miocene |
| Calizas de La Huérguina Formation | Spain | Cretaceous: Barremian |
| Crevillente | Spain | Miocene |
| Crô-Magnon | France | Pleistocene |
| Fur Formation | Denmark | Lower Eocene |
| Dmanisi | Georgia | Pleistocene |
| Grès à Reptiles | France | Jurassic |
| Guimarota | Portugal | Late Jurassic |
| Hampstead Formation | England | Oligocene |
| Hunsrück Slates | Germany: Bundenbach | Devonian |
| Jurassic coast | England | Jurassic |
| Las Hoyas | Spain | Cretaceous |
| London Clay | England | Eocene |
| Lourinhã Formation | Portugal | Late Jurassic |
| Lyme Regis | England: Dorset | Jurassic |
| Maastricht Formation | Benelux | Cretaceous |
| Mauer | Germany | Pleistocene |
| Messel Pit | Germany | Eocene |
| Monte Bolca | Italy | Eocene |
| Murero | Spain | Cambrian |
| Neandertal - Feldhofer grotto |
Germany | Pleistocene |
| Oxford Clay | England | Jurassic |
| Paris Basin | France | Eocene |
| Pobiti Kamani | Bulgaria | Mesozoic |
| Quercy Phosphorites | France | Eocene/Oligocene |
| Riodeva | Spain | Tithonian/Berriasian |
| Roma, La | Spain | Miocene |
| Sajóvölgyi Formation | Hungary | Miocene: Late Badenian |
| Sânpetru Formation | Romania | Cretaceous: Maastrichtian |
| Sieblos Dysodil | Germany | Oligocene |
| Solnhofen limestone | Germany | Jurassic |
| Valkenburg Formation | Belgium | Cretaceous |
| Venta del Moro | Spain | Miocene |
| Venta Micena | Spain | Pliocene |
| Wessex Formation | England | Cretaceous |
[edit] North America
| Site | Country/State | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Agate Fossil Beds National Monument | USA: Nebraska | Miocene |
| Aquia Formation | USA: Maryland and Virginia | Paleocene |
| Ash Hollow Formation - Ashfall Fossil Beds |
USA: Nebraska | Miocene - Clarendonian |
| Aucilla River | USA: Florida | Pleistocene/Holocene |
| Bakken Formation | USA/Canada: Montana, North Dakota and Saskatchewan | Upper Devonian - Lower Carboniferous (Early Mississippian) |
| Big Sandy Formation | USA: Arizona | Miocene |
| Blanco Formation | USA: Kansas, Texas | Pliocene/Pleistocene |
| Bone Cabin Quarry | USA: Wyoming | Jurassic |
| Bone Valley Formation | USA: Florida | Pliocene |
| Bridger Formation | USA: Wyoming | Eocene |
| Brule Formation | USA : South Dakota | Oligocene |
| Burgess Shale | Canada: British Columbia | Cambrian: Albertan |
| Calvert Formation | USA: Maryland | Miocene |
| Cedar Mountain Formation | USA: Colorado and Utah | Cretaceous |
| Chuckanut Formation | USA: Washington | Eocene |
| Clarno Formation | USA: Oregon | Eocene |
| Como Bluff | USA: Wyoming | Mesozoic |
| Coon Creek Formation | USA: Tennessee and Mississippi | Cretaceous: Maastrichtian |
| Dinosaur Park Formation | Canada: Alberta | Cretaceous: Campanian |
| Dinosaur State Park | USA: Connecticut | Jurassic |
| Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park | Canada: British Columbia | Eocene |
| Drumheller, Badlands | Canada: Alberta | Mesozoic |
| Edson Beds | USA: Kansas | Pliocene: Blancan |
| Falls of the Ohio | USA: Indiana | Devonian |
| Florissant Fossil Beds | USA: Colorado | Eocene: Priabonian |
| Fossil Prairie Park | USA: Iowa | Devonian |
| Ghost Ranch | USA: New Mexico | Triassic |
| Glenns Ferry Formation - Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument |
USA: Idaho | Pliocene/Pleistocene |
| Glen Rose Formation | USA: Texas | Cretaceous: Aptian-Albian |
| Gray Fossil Site | USA: Tennessee | Miocene |
| Green River Formation | USA: Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming | Eocene |
| Gunflint chert in Gunflint Range | Canada: western Ontario & USA: Minnesota | Upper Archaean - Lower Proterozoic |
| Hawthorne Formation | USA: South Carolina | Miocene |
| Hell Creek Formation | USA: Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming | Cretaceous: Maastrichtian |
| Hornerstown Formation | USA: New Jersey | Cretaceous/Paleocene |
| Huerfano Formation | USA: Colorado | Eocene |
| Joggins | Canada: Nova Scotia | Carboniferous |
| John Day Formation | USA: Oregon | Oligocene/Miocene |
| Judith River Formation | USA: Montana | Cretaceous: Campanian |
| Kayenta Formation | USA: Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah | Jurassic |
| Klondike Mountain Formation | USA: Washington | Eocene: Ypresian |
| Krukowski Quarry | USA:Wisconsin | Cambrian |
| La Brea Tar Pits | USA: California | Pleistocene: Rancholabrean |
| Lance Creek Formation | USA: North Dakota and Wyoming | Cretaceous: Maastrichtian |
| Lennep Formation | USA: Montana | Cretaceous |
| Linton Formation | USA: Ohio | Pennsylvanian |
| Lockatong Formation | USA: New Jersey | Triassic |
| Mascall Formation | USA: Oregon | Miocene |
| Mazon Creek | USA: Illinois | Carboniferous: Pennsylvanian |
| McAbee Fossil Beds | Canada: British Columbia | Eocene |
| Melbourne Bone Bed | USA: Florida | Pleistocene |
| Miguasha National Park | Canada: Québec | Devonian: Famennian |
| Mooreville Chalk | USA: Alabama | Cretaceous |
| Monterey Formation | USA: California | Miocene |
| Morrison Formation | Canada/USA: Great Plains | Upper Jurassic |
| Nanjemoy Formation | USA: Virginia | Eocene |
| Navesink Formation | USA: New Jersey | Cretaceous |
| Niobrara Formation | USA: Colorado | Cretaceous |
| Ogalalla Formation | USA: Texas and New Mexico | Miocene/Pliocene |
| Oldman Formation | Canada: Alberta | Cretaceous: Campanian |
| Page-Ladson prehistory site | USA: Florida | Pleistocene/Holocene |
| Pipe Creek Sinkhole | USA: Indiana | Pliocene |
| Puget Group | USA: Washington | Upper Eocene |
| Rattlesnake Formation | USA: Oregon | Miocene: Tortonian-Messinian |
| Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite | USA: Wyoming | Middle Jurassic |
| Rexroad Formation | USA: Kansas | Pliocene |
| Rincón Colorado | México: Coahuila | Cretaceous |
| Rosebud Formation | USA: South Dakota | Miocene |
| Sheep Creek Formation | USA: Nebraska | Miocene: Upper Hemingfordian? |
| Smoky Hill Chalk | USA: Nebraska | Cretaceous |
| Temblor Formation | USA: California | Miocene |
| Texas Red Beds | USA: Texas | Permian |
| Thomas Farm | USA: Florida | Miocene |
| Traverse Group (Petoskey) | USA: Michigan | Devonian |
| Two Medicine Formation | USA: Montana | Cretaceous: Campanian |
| Wannagan Creek Fossil Site | USA: North Dakota | Paleocene |
| Washakie Formation | USA: Wyoming | Eocene |
| White River Formation | USA: Colorado | Upper Eocene to mid-Oligocene |
| Willwood Formation | USA: Wyoming | Paleocene/Eocene |
| Zion National Park | USA: Utah | Miocene |
| Zuni Basin | USA: New Mexico | Cretaceous |
[edit] South America
| Site | Country/State | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Abanico Formation - Tinguiririca |
Chile | Oligocene: Rupelian |
| Allen Formation | Argentina | Upper Cretaceous: Campanian-Maastrichtian |
| Anacleto Formation | Argentina | Upper Cretaceous: Campanian |
| Andalgala Formation | Argentina | Miocene/Pliocene |
| Bajo de la Carpa Formation | Argentina | Upper Cretaceous: Santonian |
| Camacho Formation | Uruguay | Miocene |
| Candeleros Formation | Argentina | Upper Cretaceous: Cenomanian |
| Caturrita Formation - Paleorrota |
Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul | Triassic: Carnian |
| Cerro Bandera Formation | Argentina | Miocene |
| Deseado Formation | Argentina | Oligocene |
| Ensenada Formation | Argentina | Pleistocene |
| Huincul Formation | Argentina | Upper Cretaceous: Cenomanian |
| Ishigualasto Formation | Argentina | Triassic |
| Ituzaingó Formation | Argentina | Miocene |
| Jaguel Formation | Argentina | Upper Cretaceous/Lower Paleocene: Maastrichtian-Danian |
| Leticia Formation | Argentina | Eocene: Bartonian |
| Lecho Formation | Argentina | Upper Cretaceous: Maastrichtian |
| Lisandro Formation | Argentina | Upper Cretaceous: Cenomanian-Turonian |
| Lohan Cura Formation | Argentina | Lower Cretaceous: Aptian-Albian |
| Mylodon Cave | Chile | Pleistocene |
| Quinriquina Formation | Chile | Cretaceous |
| Patagonia Molasses | Argentina | Miocene |
| Pinturas Formation | Argentina | Miocene: Burdigalian/Langhian[verification needed] |
| Plottier Formation | Argentina | Upper Cretaceous: Coniacian |
| Portezuelo Formation | Argentina | Upper Cretaceous: Turonian-Coniacian |
| Rio Colorado Formation - Auca Mahuevo |
Argentina | Cretaceous |
| Roca Formation | Argentina | Paleocene |
| San Julian Formation | Argentina | Eocene/Oligocene |
| Santa Cruz Formation | Argentina | Miocene |
| Santana Formation | Brazil | Cretaceous |
| Santa Maria Formation - Paleorrota |
Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul | Triassic: Ladinian-Carnian |
| Toca de Boa Vista Caves | Brazil | Pleistocene |
| Urumaco Formation - Urumaco |
Venezuela | Miocene |
| Villavieja Formation - La Venta |
Colombia | Miocene |
[edit] See also
- Fossil parks
- Fossil collecting
- List of fossil parks around the world
- List of fossil parks in India
- List of human fossils
- List of notable fossils
- Mary Anning
- Paleobiology
- Paleontology
- Rockhounding
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Dinosaur Footprints Moulded In Kerman
- ^ Irna
- ^ Australian locations after Vickers-Rich & Rich (1993)
[edit] References
- Vickers-Rich, Patricia & Rich, Thomas Hewett (1993); Wildlife of Gondwana. Reed. ISBN 0-7301-0315-3
