Trace fossils: a smaller museum's perspective

Abstract

The Warwickshire Natural History and Archaeological Society, who amassed many specimens, including Triassic reptile tracks, initiated Warwickshire Museum's trace fossil collection during the nineteenth century. In recent decades, renewed interest in the trace fossil specimens has enhanced their value as a repository of scientific and historic data. Warwickshire's geological sites still have considerable potential for yielding trace fossils and, in particular, Jurassic sections have furnished new records in recent years. Triassic reptile tracks were first displayed at the Warwick Market Hall during the nineteenth century; notes are provided on a rediscovered, previously exhibited Chirotherium specimen from Preston Bagot, western Warwickshire. The Warwickshire Museum continues to display a small number of trace fossils.