Waukesha Biota

The Waukesha Biota is a paleontological site in Wisconsin that preserves marine animal remains from the early Silurian period. The two quarries contain fossils within a thin layer of fine sediment, allowing researchers to study life from hundreds of millions of years ago.

The site was first documented by scientists in 1985 and quickly gained recognition for its rare preservation of soft-bodied marine organisms. This made it valuable for understanding Silurian ecosystems.

Research institutions and museums utilize the fossil specimens from this location to educate students and further scientific understanding of ancient marine life.

The site is primarily accessible for research purposes and requires specialized tools and techniques to extract fossils from the hardened rock. Visitors should be familiar with the location and check conditions beforehand.

The site stands out for containing an unusually high concentration of trilobite fossils while lacking typical Silurian lifeforms like corals and snails. This selective preservation shows how varied fossilization conditions were in ancient seas.

Location: Waukesha County

Location: Franklin

GPS coordinates: 43.01167,-88.23167

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:43