Maria McNamaraPreservation and palaeobiology of exceptionally preserved fossils

The School of BEES are thrilled to reveal the newest addition to the UCC Geological Garden, a 3 metre-long block of extremely fossiliferous Carboniferous limestone. The 300 million-year-old slab has an extraordinary fossil content, including many ancient marine creatures such as colonial and solitary corals, clam-like brachiopods and web-like bryozoans. Unlike most other polished limestone blocks, and natural rock exposures, the block shows the fossil-rich rock layers fully in three dimensions. This gives an unprecedented view of life in the ancient ocean that covered Ireland during the Carboniferous Period. Prof. McNamara said, “The block is simply jaw-dropping. It is a fabulous example of the classic Carboniferous marine ecosystem that Ireland is so famous for worldwide. We will put it to immediate use in teaching our undergraduate students and its very large size means that we can use it to study changes in the structure of the ancient ecosystem and environment over time.” Prof. Wheeler said, “This limestone block is a remarkable resource that will be a source of inspiration to UCC students and the public for years to come.” With our deepest thanks to Kilkenny Limestone Quarries, part of the Brachot group, for their very generous donation of the block and their continued and broader support of teaching and public engagement of palaeontology at UCC.