Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve, Fossil ecological reserve at Avalon Peninsula, Canada
Mistaken Point is an ecological reserve on the southeastern coast of the Avalon Peninsula that protects fossilized remains of soft-bodied organisms preserved in mudstone layers. The fossils are arranged across multiple bedding planes that tilt at angles within the coastal rock formations.
Scientists first identified the fossil beds in 1967, recognizing that the rocks contained exceptional impressions of ancient life. This discovery was significant because it revealed creatures that lived more than 500 million years ago.
The site draws visitors interested in the story of early life on Earth, telling the tale of creatures that existed long before animals developed bones or shells. Local guides and interpretation programs help people understand why this place matters to scientists around the world.
Visitors can only access the fossils with a guide, as the walk crosses uneven terrain and follows the clifftops. Tours run only during the warmer months, and you should prepare for changeable weather along the coast.
The rocks here display more than 100 different layers with fossil imprints, making it the densest collection of such remains in the world. No other place reveals so many traces of life from that distant era all in one location.
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