RESEARCHERS who discovered fossils in Powys, described as among the world's most important ever found, will deliver a talk on their findings this weekend.
A large number of extraordinary new fossils, including many soft-bodied creatures, were discovered near Llandrindod Wells by spa town residents Dr Joseph Botting and Dr Lucy Muir.
Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales researchers found the fossils in rocks which were laid down under the sea over 460 million years ago at a time when what is now Mid Wales was covered by an ocean.
Over 170 species were discovered in 2020 during the Covid-19 lockdown at a secret location on private land known as Castle Bank.
Drs Botting and Muir will be presenting their findings at an event being held at the Radnorshire Museum, in Llandrindod, this Saturday, May 20, and talking about why the geology of the Llandrindod area is so important.
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Dr Muir said: “Earlier this month, a fossil site of global importance was published in the scientific journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, and widely reported in local and national papers, television and radio.
“The Castle Bank fauna, one of the most important palaeontological discoveries of the 21st century, was discovered at a site near Llandrindod. The fossils are of animals that lived 460 million years ago, when life thrived around a volcanic island in the seas of what would become Wales.
“Numerous entirely new animals are preserved here in incredible detail, giving us a glimpse into a long-lost world.
“However, Castle Bank is not the only geologically important site in the area. The land between Llandrindod, Llandegley and Builth has long been recognised as globally important for both its fossils and its volcanic rocks, so that Castle Bank fits into an already well-known episode of prehistory that tells a remarkable story in itself.”
Join the discoverers of the Castle Bank fauna on Saturday, from 2-3.30pm, and find out about the remarkable animals of the Castle Bank deposit. Entry is free.
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