Middridge Quarry
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Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZ248252 | — | Favourable | 2.07 | 2014-10-03 |
Geology & landscape
Mining / Industrial: Quarry · Geological Period: Permian · Rock Type: Limestone, Slate
Description
Area, 1.9 ha. 4.7 ac. Description A small quarry in magnesian limestone, the lower level of which exposes fossils rich marl slate. This is a key site with the richest and most diverse Permian flora in Britain. Its conifer dominated flora compares with the Kupferscheifer flora of Germany and Hungary. The assemblage of Middridge is of great interest for yielding the oldest British ginko probably the oldest member of the Ginkgoaceae found anywhere and probably the oldest British Cycad. Equally famous for its vertebrate faunas, Middridge has yielded 11 species of fossil fish, reptiles and superbly preserved invertebrates. Middridge quarry is the best British Permian tetrapod locality. Three species of fossil reptile were collected from the vicinity during the last century, two species of Proterosaurus and a Lepidosaurus. Recent finds of bone indicate the potential of the site for further higher vertebrate discoveries. This is an internationally significant palaeontological locality. * Under Section 23 of the National Park and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949.