Archaeopteris
Archaeopteris
Site Details
- Location
- Archaeopteris
- Grid reference
- 52.4740, -7.1432
- Fossil Name
- Archaeopteris
- Fossil Type
- Plant
- Fossil Age
- Devonian
- Rock Type
- Sandstone
- Access Info
- Historic discovery - not accessible
- Fossil Info
- Multiple species of fossil ferns have been found at Kiltorcan Quarry in Co. Kilkenny. These fossil plants evolved around 400 million years ago during the Devonian period. Archaeopteris was a tree-like plant with fern-like leaves but it wasn't a true tree as it didn't have woody tissue. These plants typically grew up to 30 m in height and their trunks could reach up to 1.5 m in diameter. These plants grew in wet swampy environments.