Burgess Shale, Paleontological site in Yoho National Park, Canada
Located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, this deposit contains marine fossils preserved in fine-grained mudstone from the Middle Cambrian period, dating back 508 million years.
Charles Walcott discovered the site in 1909 and collected over 65,000 fossil specimens during extensive excavations conducted between 1910 and 1924.
The Royal Ontario Museum maintains comprehensive collections and research facilities dedicated to studying and displaying specimens from this formation.
Visitors can access the site through guided hikes departing from the Yoho National Park Visitor Centre, with tours available to Walcott Quarry and Mount Stephen.
The fossils reveal complete anatomical details of early marine animals, including preserved soft tissues, internal organs, and previously unknown species from the Cambrian period.
Location: Columbia-Shuswap Regional District
Made from material: shale
GPS coordinates: 51.43330,-116.46700
Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:13
British Columbia features natural hot springs, caves and hiking trails. The region contains waterfalls, old-growth forests and tide pools. Visitors find volcanic landscapes, fjords, beaches and marine areas. The territory includes First Nations cultural sites, fossil beds and Chinese gardens.
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