This Earthcache aims to teach you a little about fossils and the Iguanodon dinosaur. There is no physical container at the location. I thought Southwater’s unique prehistoric discovery deserved an Earthcache of its own.
The centrepiece of Southwater’s Lintot Square is a sculpture of an Iguanodon. The dinosaur, known colloquially as ‘Iggy’, was discovered in the 1920s in the brick works in the village. The dinosaur was fossilised in clay that was likely part of a prehistoric flood plain or swamp.
Iguanodons were herbivores and had thumb-like appendages used for gathering food. The first remains of these dinosaurs were discovered in nearby Cuckfield in 1809, and the first full skeletons were discovered in 1878 in Belgium. This made the Iguanodon one of the first classified dinosaurs, along with Megalosaurus and Hylaeosaurus. Iguanodon fossils are among the most common in southern England.
The remains of Iggy are on display at Worthing Museum.
For this Earthcache, you must visit the given coordinates and answer the following questions. Questions 4 and 5 require internet research and questions 1, 2 and 3 require visiting the blue plaque as well as internet research.
- What are the approximate measurements of a fully-grown Iguanodon? How does this compare to the sculpture?
- Locate the blue plaque on the shop wall. What was the weight of the Iguanodon found in Southwater?
- How long ago did this dinosaur live, and from this find out the name of the associated geological period.
- Name the type of clay these bones were found in and then name one other fossilised dinosaur to have been discovered in this type of clay.
- Very briefly describe the stages of fossil formation. (One or two sentences is fine)
A photo of you and/or your GPS with the sculpture would be very much appreciated :)
Please message me the answers when you log your find and do not reveal any answers in your log!
Sources:
- en.wikipedia.org
- Mole Valley Geological Society
- discoveringfossils.co.uk
- Southwater Local History Group
- dinosaurisle.com