East Kirkton Quarry

Also within

West Lothian County

Condition (NatureScot)

Geology & landscape

Mining / Industrial: Quarry · Geological Period: Carboniferous · Rock Type: Limestone

Landscape processes: Volcanic / Igneous

Description

EAST KIRKTON QUARRY Situated on the northern outskirts of Bathgate, West Lothian, East Kirkton Quarry is a disused, tree-lined limestone quarry, cut into a gently sloping agricultural landscape. The limestones were formed towards the beginning of the Carboniferous period, between 338 and 340 million years ago, when the area was a hot mineral spring within an active volcanic region. The highly mineralised spring water provided excellent conditions for the fossilisation of organic matter. The site has yielded a rich terrestrial fauna and flora that is remarkably well preserved, including the first fully-articulated amphibians found in Scotland. Seven species of fully land-going amphibians have been recognised to date, the commonest being a primitive form of temnospondyl, similar to Dendrerpeton. At least two species of anthracosaur, the forerunners of reptiles, have also been found within the quarry. Perhaps the best known specimen recovered from the site is Westlothiana lizziae, which bore some resemblance to modern-day lizards. Invertebrate fossils are also present within the East Kirkton limestones, with significant finds including: eurypterids (water scorpions), such as Hibbertopterus; the world’s oldest opilionid (harvestman spider); millipedes; and scorpions. Many of the fossils found significantly pre-date similar remains from other areas of the world. This, combined with the richness of the fossil biota and the exceptionally high quality of the specimens obtained from the quarry, make this a site of international importance for the study of early Carboniferous life.