{"id":21538,"date":"2020-03-24T22:49:41","date_gmt":"2020-03-24T22:49:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/?page_id=21538"},"modified":"2021-09-09T12:27:00","modified_gmt":"2021-09-09T12:27:00","slug":"echinoids","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/fossils-and-geological-time\/echinoids\/","title":{"rendered":"Echinoids"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t\t<section class=\"hero-section hero-section-with-social\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hero-info-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hero-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1>Echinoids<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Discovering Geology &mdash; Fossils and geological time<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"social-wrap social-wrap-inline-them\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sea-background-f\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>Share this article<\/span><a target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/fossils-and-geological-time\/echinoids\/\"><span class=\"icon-facebook\"><span class=\"hidden\">Facebook<\/span><\/span><\/a><a target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=Echinoids&#038;url=https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/fossils-and-geological-time\/echinoids\/\"><span class=\"icon-twitter\"><span class=\"hidden\">Twitter<\/span><\/span><\/a><a   onclick=\"javascript:void( (function() {var e=document.createElement('script' );e.setAttribute('type','text\/javascript' );e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8' );e.setAttribute('src','\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());\"  href=\"javascript:void(0);\"><span class=\"icon-pinterest\"><span class=\"hidden\">Pinterest<\/span><\/span><\/a><a target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/wa.me?text=https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/fossils-and-geological-time\/echinoids\/\"><span class=\"icon-whatsapp\"><span class=\"hidden\">WhatsApp<\/span><\/span><\/a><a   href=\"mailto:?subject=Echinoids&#038;body=%20(https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/fossils-and-geological-time\/echinoids\/)\"><span class=\"icon-mail\"><span class=\"hidden\">Email<\/span><\/span><\/a><a href=\"#\" data-copy=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/fossils-and-geological-time\/echinoids\/\" class=\"copy-url-on-click\"><span class=\"icon-link\"><span class=\"hidden\">Copy Link<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-bgs-blocks-content-container content-section\"><div class=\"container\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12\">\n<p>Echinoids have lived in the seas since the Late Ordovician, about 450 million years ago, which is about 220 million years before dinosaurs appeared. The remains and traces of these animals were buried in sediment that later hardened into rock, preserving them as fossils. The living representatives of echinoids are the familiar sea urchins that inhabit many shallow coastal waters of the world. Fossil echinoids closely resemble some living sea urchins, which helps us to understand how they must have lived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"#animal\">The animal<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#geologist\">The geologists\u2019 tool<\/a> <\/li><li><a href=\"#myth\">Myths and legends<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#3d-fossil\">3D fossil models<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/exp1958795543_1332x690.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;A modern sea urchin. \u00a9 Public domain. NOAA OKEANOS Explorer Program, 2013 North-east US Canyons Expedition.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_95109\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/exp1958795543_1332x690-150x150.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur\" alt=\"A modern sea-urchin.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/exp1958795543_1332x690-960x497.jpg\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p>A modern sea urchin. \u00a9 Public domain. NOAA OKEANOS Explorer Program, 2013 North-east US Canyons Expedition.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/exp1958795543_1332x690.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;A modern sea urchin. \u00a9 Public domain. NOAA OKEANOS Explorer Program, 2013 North-east US Canyons Expedition.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_95109\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"animal\">The animal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Echinoids are marine animals belonging to the phylum Echinodermata and the class Echinoidea. They have a hard shell (referred to as a test) covered with small knobs (tubercles) to which spines are attached in living echinoids. The test and spines are the parts normally found as fossils.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"owl-carousel carousel-primary-color carousel owl-theme thumbs-carousel-js\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"item\"><figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/echinoidCrossSection.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;Simplified cross section through a living echinoid. Tube feet protrude through the pores, which are concentrated in narrow bands radiating across the test. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_42378\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/echinoidCrossSection.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Simplified cross section through a living echinoid. The tube feet protrude through the pores which are concentrated into narrow bands radiating across the test. BGS \u00a9UKRI. All rights reserved.\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p>Simplified cross section through a living echinoid. Tube feet protrude through the pores, which are concentrated in narrow bands radiating across the test. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/echinoidCrossSection.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;Simplified cross section through a living echinoid. Tube feet protrude through the pores, which are concentrated in narrow bands radiating across the test. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_42378\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"item\"><figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/feature_echinoid_P549574.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Tylocidaris clavigena&lt;\/em&gt;, a fossil echinoid, with club-like spines attached. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_42378\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/feature_echinoid_P549574.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"echinoid p549574\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p><em>Tylocidaris clavigena<\/em>, a fossil echinoid, with club-like spines attached. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/feature_echinoid_P549574.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Tylocidaris clavigena&lt;\/em&gt;, a fossil echinoid, with club-like spines attached. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_42378\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\n<p>Echinoid tests have a variety of shapes; they can be globular or flattened, rounded or heart-shaped. The most important function of the test was to support and protect the soft body inside. The spines, held in place by soft tissue covering the test during life, usually became detached and fossilised separately. Occasionally, when fossilisation was rapid, the spines and test are found preserved together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The test and spines are made of the mineral calcite. The test contains hundreds of calcite plates, loosely held together in Palaeozoic species but rigidly fused together in most species since the Mesozoic. The plates are arranged so that the test appears to consist of wedge-shaped segments, usually separated by narrow bands of tiny holes (pores) that radiate out across the test.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Hemicidaris_2-150x150.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur\" alt=\"Hemicidaris from the Jurassic, with elongate spines.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Hemicidaris_2.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption sm-line\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p><em>Hemicidaris<\/em> from the Jurassic, with elongate spines. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Calcite also forms the powerful downward-pointing teeth found in some types of living and fossil echinoids. Concentrations of magnesium in the tips of the teeth add extra strength for scraping food items from rock surfaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spines, some poison-tipped, help protect echinoids from their many predators, which include other echinoids, crustaceans, octopuses and fish. Some fossil echinoids made themselves less palatable as prey by having large, solid spines. Echinoids also use their spines for moving around the seabed and, in some groups, they are specially adapted for burrowing.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/echinoidsAndTheirEnemies-150x150.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur\" alt=\"Echinoids and their enemies : A seascape showing the kinds of environments inhabited by modern and fossil echinoids. Burrowing sea-urchins (1 &amp; 2) conceal themselves from predators, while non-burrowing types (3 &amp; 4) cling to rocky surfaces and have defensive spines to protect against fish, lobster, starfish and octopus. \u00a9Richard Bell.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/echinoidsAndTheirEnemies.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p>Echinoids and their enemies: a seascape showing the kinds of environments inhabited by modern and fossil echinoids. Burrowing sea urchins (1 and 2) conceal themselves from predators, while non-burrowing types (3 and 4) cling to rocky surfaces and have defensive spines to protect against fish, lobster, starfish and octopus. \u00a9 Richard Bell.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>In the Mesozoic, echinoids evolved into a variety of shapes adapted to burrowing beneath the seabed. Concealed from predators, they used numerous bristle-like spines for ploughing through the sediment rather than for protection and some probably resembled the modern-day&nbsp;<em>Echinocardium<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"owl-carousel carousel-primary-color carousel owl-theme thumbs-carousel-js\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"item\"><figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/EchinocardiumCordatum_1332x690.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Echinocardium cordatum&lt;\/em&gt; (Pennant, 1777) Recent; also known as the sea potato. Its bristle-like spines on its underside are used for burrowing (left; \u00a9 Creative commons&lt;em&gt;, &lt;\/em&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/User:Cwmhiraeth&quot;&gt;Cwmhiraeth&lt;\/a&gt;). Artist\u2019s interpretation (right; BGS \u00a9 UKRI).&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_9084\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/EchinocardiumCordatum_1332x690-960x497.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Left: Echinocardium cordatum (Pennant, 1777) recent; also known as the sea potato. Its bristle-like spines on its underside are used for burrowing. \u00a9Creative commons, Cwmhiraeth. Right: artist\u2019s interpretation.\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p><em>Echinocardium cordatum<\/em> (Pennant, 1777) Recent; also known as the sea potato. Its bristle-like spines on its underside are used for burrowing (left; \u00a9 Creative commons<em>, <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/User:Cwmhiraeth\">Cwmhiraeth<\/a>). Artist\u2019s interpretation (right; BGS \u00a9 UKRI).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/EchinocardiumCordatum_1332x690.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Echinocardium cordatum&lt;\/em&gt; (Pennant, 1777) Recent; also known as the sea potato. Its bristle-like spines on its underside are used for burrowing (left; \u00a9 Creative commons&lt;em&gt;, &lt;\/em&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/User:Cwmhiraeth&quot;&gt;Cwmhiraeth&lt;\/a&gt;). Artist\u2019s interpretation (right; BGS \u00a9 UKRI).&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_9084\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"item\"><figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/P550267_1332x690.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;The Recent (modern) burrowing sea urchin &lt;em&gt;Encope&lt;\/em&gt;, with specialised food-collecting channels. BGS \u00a9UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_9084\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/P550267_1332x690-960x497.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"The Recent burrowing sea-urchin Encope, with specialised food-collecting channels.\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p>The Recent (modern) burrowing sea urchin <em>Encope<\/em>, with specialised food-collecting channels. BGS \u00a9UKRI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/P550267_1332x690.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;The Recent (modern) burrowing sea urchin &lt;em&gt;Encope&lt;\/em&gt;, with specialised food-collecting channels. BGS \u00a9UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_9084\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\n<p>Some echinoids wandered the seabed scavenging a wide variety of food, including algae, plants and encrusting organisms. Suckered, tentacle-like organs (tube feet) extended through the pores in the test, their powerful grip preventing the echinoid from being overturned in rough water and enabling it to climb rock faces. as well as assisting in feeding and respiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Food particles were extracted from the sediment swallowed by burrowing echinoids and, in some types, holes and frills in the test and grooves around the mouth helped to maximise food-gathering ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"geologist\">The geologists&#8217; tool<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Fossil echinoids are a reliable indication that the rocks containing them were formed in a marine environment. However, they can also be a useful guide to the age of the rocks in which they occur. Their remains are sometimes more common and better preserved than other types of fossils normally used for&nbsp;biostratigraphy. This is the case in the strata of Late Cretaceous age, known as the Chalk Group, which form the famous White Cliffs of Dover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pioneering work by geologist A W Rowe (1858\u20131926) and R M Brydone (1873\u20131943) in southern England showed that different types of echinoid could be used to divide parts of the Chalk into&nbsp;biozones&nbsp;and sub-biozones of different ages. This is particularly important for the purposes of&nbsp;correlation&nbsp;in the Chalk, which superficially has a very uniform appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Palaeozoic\nechinoids are less useful to geologists because they tend to be rarer; their\nprimitive tests often quickly disintegrated before fossilisation could occur.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P550271_1332x690px.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Temnocidaris (Stereocidaris) sceptrifera sceptrifera&lt;\/em&gt; (Mantell, 1822), a long-ranging Late Cretaceous echinoid. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_36352\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P550271_1332x690px-150x150.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur\" alt=\"Temnocidaris (Stereocidaris) sceptrifera sceptrifera (Mantell, 1822), a long-ranging Upper Cretaceous echinoid.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P550271_1332x690px-960x497.jpg\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p><em>Temnocidaris (Stereocidaris) sceptrifera sceptrifera<\/em> (Mantell, 1822), a long-ranging Late Cretaceous echinoid. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P550271_1332x690px.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Temnocidaris (Stereocidaris) sceptrifera sceptrifera&lt;\/em&gt; (Mantell, 1822), a long-ranging Late Cretaceous echinoid. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_36352\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Echinoids through time <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Echinoids are abundant today and fossil echinoids are common in rocks of Jurassic and Cretaceous age, especially the Late Cretaceous Chalk. <\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"owl-carousel carousel-primary-color carousel owl-theme thumbs-carousel-js\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"item\"><figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P550278_1332x690px.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Clypeaster rosaceus&lt;\/em&gt; (Linnaeus, 1758) Recent. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_87381\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P550278_1332x690px-960x497.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Clypeaster rosaceus (Linnaeus, 1758) Recent.\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption sm-line\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p><em>Clypeaster rosaceus<\/em> (Linnaeus, 1758) Recent. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P550278_1332x690px.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Clypeaster rosaceus&lt;\/em&gt; (Linnaeus, 1758) Recent. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_87381\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"item\"><figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P550280_1332x690px.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Conulus albogalerus&lt;\/em&gt; (Leske, 1778) Cretaceous. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_87381\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P550280_1332x690px-960x497.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Conulus albogalerus (Leske, 1778) Cretaceous.\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption sm-line\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p><em>Conulus albogalerus<\/em> (Leske, 1778) Cretaceous. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P550280_1332x690px.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Conulus albogalerus&lt;\/em&gt; (Leske, 1778) Cretaceous. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_87381\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"item\"><figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P550276_1332x690px.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Hemicidaris intermedia&lt;\/em&gt; (Fleming, 1828) Jurassic. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_87381\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P550276_1332x690px-960x497.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Hemicidaris intermedia (Fleming, 1828) Jurassic.\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption sm-line\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p><em>Hemicidaris intermedia<\/em> (Fleming, 1828) Jurassic. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P550276_1332x690px.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Hemicidaris intermedia&lt;\/em&gt; (Fleming, 1828) Jurassic. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_87381\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"item\"><figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P550279_1332x690px.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Clypeus ploti&lt;\/em&gt; (Salter, 1857) Jurassic. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_87381\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P550279_1332x690px-960x497.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Clypeus ploti (Salter, 1857) Jurassic.\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption sm-line\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p><em>Clypeus ploti<\/em> (Salter, 1857) Jurassic. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P550279_1332x690px.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Clypeus ploti&lt;\/em&gt; (Salter, 1857) Jurassic. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_87381\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"item\"><figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P550564_1332x690.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Lovenechinus&lt;\/em&gt; sp. Carboniferous. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_87381\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P550564_1332x690-960x497.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Lovenechinus sp. Carboniferous.\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption sm-line\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p><em>Lovenechinus<\/em> sp. Carboniferous. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P550564_1332x690.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Lovenechinus&lt;\/em&gt; sp. Carboniferous. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_87381\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"myth\">Myths and legends <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Echinodermata take their name from the Greek words for spiny skin, a very conspicuous feature of many living echinoids. Since ancient times they have been revered as objects of religious or superstitious power.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/drawing1-150x150.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur\" alt=\"Early drawing of a fossil echinoid. \u00a9Natural History Museum.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/drawing1.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"caption sm-line\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p>Early drawing of a fossil echinoid. \u00a9 Natural History Museum.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>The name <em>Aristotle&#8217;s Lantern<\/em> for the complex jaw apparatus of some sea urchins was first coined by Klein in the 18th century, because of its similarity to a Greek lantern and Aristotle&#8217;s fascination for the sea urchin.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/aristotlesLantern.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;Sketch of Aristotle&#8217;s lantern. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_38388\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/aristotlesLantern-150x150.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur\" alt=\"The name Aristotle&#039;s Lantern for the complex jaw apparatus of some sea-urchins was first coined by Klein in the 18th century because of its similarity to a Greek lantern, and Aristotle&#039;s fascination for the sea-urchin. BGS \u00a9UKRI. All rights reserved.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/aristotlesLantern.jpg\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption sm-line\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p>Sketch of Aristotle&#8217;s lantern. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/aristotlesLantern.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;Sketch of Aristotle&#8217;s lantern. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_38388\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Echinoids have been used in traditional remedies for stomach disorders and, in Roman times, were considered an antidote to snake bites. Spines of the Cretaceous echinoid <em>Balanocidaris glandifera<\/em>, bearing a superficially resemblance to a bladder, were used to treat gall, bladder and kidney ailments and those of the Recent <em>Heterocentrotus mammillatus<\/em> (Linnaeus, 1758) were ground up and mixed with vinegar to treat ear problems. <\/p>\n\n\n<figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/balanocidarisGlandifera.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;Spine of the Cretaceous echinoid &lt;em&gt;Balanocidaris glandifera&lt;\/em&gt;. \u00a9 National Museum of Wales.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_2139\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/balanocidarisGlandifera-150x150.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur\" alt=\"Echinoids have been used in traditional remedies for stomach disorders, and in Roman times were considered an antidote to snake-bite. Spines of the Cretaceous echinoid Balanocidaris glandifera, bearing a superficially resemblance to a bladder, were used to treat gall, bladder and kidney ailments, and those of the Recent Heterocentrotus mammillatus (Linnaeus, 1758) were ground up and mixed with vinegar to treat ear problems. \u00a9National Museum of Wales\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/balanocidarisGlandifera.jpg\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p>Spine of the Cretaceous echinoid <em>Balanocidaris glandifera<\/em>. \u00a9 National Museum of Wales.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/balanocidarisGlandifera.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;Spine of the Cretaceous echinoid &lt;em&gt;Balanocidaris glandifera&lt;\/em&gt;. \u00a9 National Museum of Wales.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_2139\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3d-fossil\">3D fossil models<\/h3>\n\n\n<figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P879978_1332x690.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Heterocidaris wickense&lt;\/em&gt; Wright. (Jurassic , Bathonian \u2013 Aalenian). BGS \u00a9 UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_24570\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P879978_1332x690-150x150.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur\" alt=\"Heterocidaris wickense. (SM J 6106 \u2013 Undifferentiated Type). Bathonian Age (Jurassic Period) \u2013 Aalenian Age (Jurassic Period) (166.1 \u2013 174.1 Ma B.P.) See 3D fossils online.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P879978_1332x690-960x497.jpg\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption sm-line\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p><em>Heterocidaris wickense<\/em> Wright. (Jurassic , Bathonian \u2013 Aalenian). BGS \u00a9 UKRI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/P879978_1332x690.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Heterocidaris wickense&lt;\/em&gt; Wright. (Jurassic , Bathonian \u2013 Aalenian). BGS \u00a9 UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_24570\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Many of the fossils in the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geological-data\/national-geological-repository\/palaeontology-collections\/\">BGS palaeontology collections<\/a>&nbsp;are available to view and download as 3D models. To view this fossil, or others like it, in 3D visit <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.3d-fossils.ac.uk\/home.html\" target=\"_blank\">GB3D Type Fossils<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Woods, M A. 1999. Echinoids: fossil focus. (Nottingham, UK: British Geological Survey.)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<section   id=\"latest-content-7045-block_5ed52e7501506\" class=\"grid-section  primary-background   \" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row header-of-section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>You may also be interested in<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row grid-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-lg-6 col-12\">\n\t<div class=\"cards cards-orizontal-sm  cards-find-more  cards-bordered\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/\" class=\"media-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/feature_homepage_p815563-150x150.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur wp-post-image\" alt=\"Ammonite p815563\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/feature_homepage_p815563.jpg\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"info\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/\">Discovering Geology<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Discovering Geology introduces a range of geoscience topics to school-age students and learners of all ages.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/\">Show more<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-lg-6 col-12\">\n\t<div class=\"cards cards-orizontal-sm  cards-find-more  cards-bordered\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/fossils-and-geological-time\/\" class=\"media-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/fishThroughTime-150x150.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur wp-post-image\" alt=\"fishThroughTime\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/fishThroughTime.jpg\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"info\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/fossils-and-geological-time\/\">Fossils and geological time<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Take a look at the history of the Earth, from its formation over four and a half billion years ago to present times.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/fossils-and-geological-time\/\">Show more<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-lg-6 col-12\">\n\t<div class=\"cards cards-orizontal-sm  cards-find-more  cards-bordered\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/fossils-and-geological-time\/fossils\/\" class=\"media-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/P550300-150x150.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur wp-post-image\" alt=\"P550300\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/P550300.jpg\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"info\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/fossils-and-geological-time\/fossils\/\">Fossils<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>What is a fossil and why do we study them? Explore the different methods of fossil preservation.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/fossils-and-geological-time\/fossils\/\">Show more<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":36528,"parent":16685,"menu_order":17,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"72558,71634,66663,51064,15901,68446","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.5 - 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