The boy who discovered a 200-million-year-old fossil while walking on the beach

Eli Morris, a 9-year-old boy who lives with his family in Wales, United Kingdom, discovered on a beach on March 26 a fossil of a mollusk that is believed to be 200 million years old, a finding that experts from the National Museum of History in London have described as extraordinary. His story has become viral on social networks.

Eli went out with his family Llantwit Major beach in the Vale of Glamorgan when saw the mollusk preserved on a cliff. The minor was walking on the beach when he made the discovery.

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“The giant ammonite fossil has been dated to approximately 200 million years ago”Eli’s father, Glenn Morris, told Sky News. The ammonites they were predatory creatures similar to squids that lived inside spiral-shaped shells that went extinct 66 million years ago.

Museum congratulates Eli on discovery

Morris said that “It is a very rare find due to its conservation”. For its part, the National History Museum in London congratulated Eli for his find and told him that “keep up the good work”.

“Growing up, Eli has always been interested in all rock formations and unique looking items. He has a good eye for details and loves the different colors and textures of all the rocks”his father recounted. “When we go for walks, he fills his pockets, and often mine, with his finds, which he retrieves and puts on display at home”he added.

This was the first time Eli and his family had visited Llantwit Major and Morris said they will remember it for some time. “Definitely one of the most memorable walks”Morris said.

“The largest fossil remains at the site, but he took the smaller items home to add to his collection.”he explained to the aforementioned medium.

The 200 million year old ammonite fossil on the beach at Llantwit Major in the Vale of Glamorgan. (Photo: Glenn Morris)

Experts analyze the fossil found

Dr Nick Felstead, professor of physical geography at Swansea University, told Sky News that the area of ​​the Glamorgan coast where Eli made his discovery “it is well known for its fossils”. Although ammonites can be found, “one the size Eli found is pretty rare”he added.

Dr. Felstead said that “the fossil itself tells us that it was a shallow tropical ocean” and that this part of the coast is “from the early Jurassic period, about 200 million years ago”.

“It’s great to see the next generation of fossil hunters on the South Wales coast because it’s a wonderful place to come and visit, to come and see many different species of fossils from different time periods and hopefully in the future. that next generation will be responsible for the next big finds”he concluded.

Source: Elcomercio