Quercy Phosphorites Formation, Paleogene geological formation near Cahors, France
The Quercy Phosphorites Formation is a Paleogene geological layer in the Lot region of southwestern France that appears within limestone caves and fissures. It spreads across the valleys of the Lot and Célé rivers and holds important phosphate deposits.
The formation was first studied systematically in 1903 by Thévenin following the discovery of phosphate deposits in the 1870s. These early investigations laid the foundation for later paleontological research in the region.
French and Belgian research institutions maintain extensive collections of fossils from this formation, contributing to paleontological knowledge.
The layer is found at multiple accessible sites across the Lot department and can be examined at various locations. Visitors should check access conditions beforehand, as some sites are located within caves.
This layer preserves vertebrates from about 25 to 38 million years ago with some soft tissues and internal contents still intact. Such discoveries are especially valuable because they reveal details about the anatomy and biology of ancient animals.
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