Find some hidden treasures near you!

Daniel O’Neill

Scientists at UCC are launching an interesting new initiative that involves finding hidden treasures from our past in the local area.

The Great Irish Fossil Hunt involves getting participants to collaborate in the citizen scientist initiative and find ancient fossils in their local areas.

Participants can send photos of anything they find to the team at UCC who will then use the information to create a fossil map of Ireland. The map will then be launched during Science Week as part of a Fossil Expo at UCC.

A fossil is any preserved remains, trace or impression of any once-living thing from the past.

Dr Jess Franklin, Senior Public Engagement officer with the campaign team said: “It’s so easy to find fossils here in Ireland. There are lots of fossils exposed in rocks along the coast, but you don’t have to go that far, fossils are also really common in our footpaths and building stones, you can literally pass fossils on your way to your local corner shop. Now we’re asking people to take a quick snap of these fossils with your mobile phone and send it to us.”

Campaign leader Professor Maria McNamara added: “Here in Ireland we have a wonderful fossil heritage that includes amazing ancient sea creatures and huge ancient forests, all preserved in our limestone, sandstone and mudstone rocks.

“We have even more fossils visible in the buildings, walls and pavements of our towns and cities. For the first time, we want to capture the full range of fossils that are visible in both urban and natural environments all around the country, to make a new fossil map that makes fossils really accessible to people, no matter whether they live in a built-up area or a very rural area.”

The final date for photo submissions is 31 August. The team will then travel the country and validate all photos submitted. Participants can submit their photos and google map's location to ucc.ie/en/fossil-heritage/.