Coed Cochion Quarry
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Geology & landscape
Mining / Industrial: Quarry · Geological Period: Precambrian
Description
Description This small disused quarry is a very notable British locality for Precambrian studies. The prolific late Precambrian medusoid fauna is unknown from any other British site, but is directly comparable to elements of the famous invertebrate fauna of Ediacara in South Australia. This recently discovered site extends our knowledge of faunal diversity and distribution prior to the Palaeozoic, as well as being the richest known occurrence of Precambrian faunas in the British Isles. In layman’s terms, the interest of this site may be expressed more simply, and such a statement is provided below. This should not be taken as definitive and further information as to the details of the interest can be obtained from the Countryside Council for Wales. The discovery of late Precambrian medusoid or jellyfish-like fossils at Coed Cochion represents one of the most significant fossil finds to have been made in this country. Although fossils of other soft-bodied organisms of late Precambrian age are known from Charnwood Forest in Leicestershire and from South Australia, such occurrences are rare throughout the world. Information on the type and diversity of life forms which existed during the Precambrian era is sparse and any significant new find which provides a fuller picture of this early period of geological time is of great value.