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Fossilised wood

Driftwood and tree remains replaced by minerals, sometimes as jet or lignite.

Carboniferous onwards; British beach finds are mostly Jurassic and Cretaceous. · Easy to find

What is it?

Wood washed into ancient seas or buried in river sediments can be preserved when minerals replace the cell structure. British examples range from lignite and pyritised driftwood in the Jurassic clays to the fossil forest remains of the Dorset coast and the jet of the Yorkshire Lias.

What does it look like?

Dark brown to black, often showing a grain or growth-ring structure. Pieces may be light and coal-like or heavy and mineral-replaced.

How to identify it

  1. 01Look for parallel grain running the length of the piece.
  2. 02Jet is very light for its size, warm to the touch and takes a high polish; lignite crumbles.
  3. 03Pyritised wood is heavy and metallic-looking, and needs dry storage.

Where to find fossilised wood in the UK

Map of the United Kingdom showing fossil hunting regionsLyme Regis — DorsetCharmouth — DorsetSeatown — DorsetKimmeridge Bay — DorsetChurch Ope Cove, Portland — DorsetCompton Bay — Isle of WightBrook Bay — Isle of WightYaverland, Sandown — Isle of WightHastings and Fairlight — East SussexHerne Bay — KentWarden Point, Isle of Sheppey — KentWalton-on-the-Naze — EssexWest Runton — NorfolkWhitby — North YorkshireRunswick Bay — North YorkshireRobin Hood's Bay — North YorkshirePort Mulgrave — North Yorkshire
  1. 01Lyme RegisDorset · DorsetAmmonites · Belemnites · Bivalves · Marine reptile remainsBeginnerFamily friendlyBeach, CliffExplore location →
  2. 02CharmouthDorset · DorsetAmmonites · Belemnites · Bivalves · Fossilised woodBeginnerFamily friendlyBeach, CliffExplore location →
  3. 03SeatownDorset · DorsetAmmonites · Belemnites · Bivalves · Fossilised woodEasyFamily friendlyBeach, CliffExplore location →
  4. 04Kimmeridge BayDorset · DorsetAmmonites · Bivalves · Fossilised wood · Marine reptile remainsModerateFamily friendlyBeach, Cliff, Geological siteExplore location →
  5. 05Church Ope Cove, PortlandDorset · DorsetBivalves · Gastropods · Ammonites · Fossilised woodModerateBeach, CliffExplore location →
  6. 06Compton BayIsle of Wight · Isle of WightDinosaur fossils · Fossilised wood · Plant fossils · BivalvesModerateFamily friendlyBeach, CliffExplore location →
  7. 07Brook BayIsle of Wight · Isle of WightDinosaur fossils · Fossilised wood · Plant fossilsModerateBeach, CliffExplore location →
  8. 08Yaverland, SandownIsle of Wight · Isle of WightDinosaur fossils · Fossilised wood · Plant fossils · BivalvesEasyFamily friendlyBeach, CliffExplore location →

Regions