Recording scheme for
key scientifically important fossils
Run by Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
and Dorset County Council's World Heritage Team
This register of key scientifically important fossils forms part of a fossil collecting code of conduct which has been running from the Winter of 1998. The code of conduct and fossil recording scheme results from a series of working group meetings led by the Jurassic Coast Project (now the World Heritage Site team).
To view a pdf version of the fossil record database click here. 
The scheme identifies two categories of fossils:
Category 1 Fossils
a) Fossils which certainly represent new species. These can belong to any taxonomic group – vertebrate, invertebrate or plant.
b) Fossils that are thought to represent new species. Again these can belong to any group - vertebrate, invertebrate or plant. (Subsequent work may indicate that some of these are not in fact new species and provided that they do not fall within 1c) or 1d) below, they may be ‘downgraded’ to Category 2 fossils).
c) Fossils that are extremely rare. Although not necessarily new species they are nethertheless clearly of great scientific importance. Examples include: dinosaurs, pterosaurs, sharks and rays, (near) complete insects and arthropods (crustaceans, crabs), recognisable leaf fronds and plant cones etc. This subcategory includes forms which are very rare in certain stratigraphic levels if found in situ or where the stratigraphic horizon can be identified satisfactorily; for example, fossil echinoids or gastropods are rarely found within the clay dominated Lower Lias strata.
d) Fossils which exhibit exceptional preservation. For example, ichthyosaurs (or other vertebrates) showing skin texture, uncrushed skulls which could provide data on brain size or other physiological aspects etc. Among invertebrates, fossil cephalopods (cuttlefish, squids, ammonites or belemnites) showing traces of gill structures, arms and hooks etc are of key scientific importance.
Note: Some fossils from the Lias, such as ichthyosaurs, are not uncommonly found with traces of soft tissues preserved. These would not be regarded as Category I unless there are soft part features preserved which are particularly rare or exceptional. The same may be true for certain invertebrate groups, such as belemnite ‘ink sacs', which are not that uncommon in the Black Ven and Belemnite Marls.
Should collectors with to sell category 1 specimens they must offer them to UK registered museums in the first instance, for a period of 6 months.
Category 2 Fossils
Reptiles: ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs etc. Fish: including sharks, rays, coelacanths, bony fish etc.
Vertebrate remains, especially fragmentary, isolated, bones or scales etc, may be relatively common in some beds. The stratigraphical range of many forms is poorly known and any data may be important to relevant specialists. It is recommended therefore that collectors do record significant, recognisable finds if found in situ or where the stratigraphic horizon can be identified satisfactorily.
Arthropods: insects
Relatively scarce fossils, mainly recorded from the woodstone/flatstone horizons. Many insect remains are indistinctly preserved, but given their scarcity, any recognisable forms are worthy of recording.
Molluscs: belemnites
Extremely common fossils especially in the form of isolated belemnite guards. It is not anticipated that these would be recorded, unless a particular bedding-plane concentration (‘belemnite battlefield’) or similar fauna was collected.
Molluscs: ammonites
One of the most common and characteristic fossils from the Dorset coast occurring throughout the section. Many of the usual taxa are abundant and comprise the ‘bread and butter’ specimens for commercial, amateur and tourist collectors. It is not anticipated that these forms would be recorded, although any unusual species or particularly large/mature shells showing apertural details etc are worthy of inclusion in the database.
Molluscs: nautiloids
A neglected group of fossils, occurring throughout much of the succession. It is not expected that these would be recorded, though exceptional specimens (e.g. bedding plane assemblages or others yielding palaeoecological data) are worth considering for inclusion on the database.
Molluscs: bivalves
An abundant group of fossils, occurring throughout much of the succession and rarely collected commercially. It is not expected that these would be recorded, although exceptional specimens (e.g. bedding plane assemblages or other preservations yielding palaeoecological data) are worth considering within the database.
Brachiopods
As bivalves above
Echinoderms: crinoids and starfish
A group of considerable interest to collectors, especially specimens from the ‘Pentacrinite’ and ‘Eype Starfish’ beds. There are many specimens of these in public collections and it is not anticipated that specimens would normally be recorded. However, exceptional accumulations of crinoids attached to drift wood etc, or of brittle stars, are worthy of recording on the database.
Any collectors who have recently found fossils along the West Dorset coast, which may meet the criteria for inclusion in the records are encouraged to report and record their finds.
The Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre maintains the recording scheme and collectors should contact the wardens in order to enter new records. Anyone can access the records, while specialists undertaking academic study are encouraged to register their interest which can then be communicated to the collectors.
A hard and electronic copy of the register is held at:
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre,
Lower Sea Lane,
Charmouth,
Dorset, DT6 6LL.
01297 560772.