Fossils on the Seashore: Beachcombing and Palaeontology
Product code: MPFSBP
Print publication date: 21/10/2025
Dunedin / Liverpool University Press, Dunedin / LUP titles, Palaeontology and geobiology, GeoGifts, New
Binding: Hardback
ISBN: 9781780461090
Author/Edited by: By Stephen K. Donovan
Number of pages: 184
£29.99
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Fossils on the Seashore is an expert and accessible guide to exploring the palaeontological richness of Britain’s coastal landscapes.
While inland sites are increasingly off-limits, the UK’s extensive coastline remains a specimen-rich wonderland of fossils and fossiliferous rock, shining a light on questions of palaeoecology, preservation and trace fossils.
A retired geologist and expert palaeontologist, Dr Stephen Donovan balances scholarly knowledge with practical guidance. Designed for easy reference in the field, each chapter is concise and self-contained, equipping readers with the knowledge to identify fossils, understand ancient ecosystems, and appreciate the processes behind fossilisation.
Fossils on the Seashore brings the author’s extensive field experience to life, unlocking the geological and palaeontological secrets of the past from Britain’s remarkable coastal landscapes. It is an indispensable resource for both amateur enthusiasts and emerging palaeontologists.
PART I: INTRODUCING ASPECTS OF THE BEACH. 1: Introduction: On the Beach. 2: Molluscs or Pebbles? 3: Sandy Beaches. 4: Pebbles and Cobbles on the Beach. 5: Aktuo Paläontologie. 6: Health and Safety.
PART II: WHAT TO LOOK FOR. 7: Provenance. 8: Corals and sponges. 9: Bryozoans. 10: Crabs. 11: Barnacles. 12: Gastropods. 13: Bivalves. 14: Cephalopods, Scaphopods and Chitons. 15: Worms and Their Tubes. 16:Echinoids.
PART III: WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO SEE. 17: Margate, Kent. 18: Sandown, Isle of Wight. 19: Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex. 20: Overstrand, Norfolk. 21: Easington, Co. Durham. 22: Isle of Mull, Scotland
‘Steve's book is not just a collection of his insights, but a practical guide that will help you engage with the wonders of shoreline palaeontology. It will open new worlds of wonder as you collect and select the mineralised remnants of ancient life on sandy, muddy, pebbly, or rock-strewn beaches. His conversational style and ability to make complex topics understandable make Steve the perfect guide for seasoned collectors and newcomers.’
Tim Littlewood, Director of Science, Natural History Museum, London
‘Donovan takes the reader well beyond the thrill of discovery to examine why fossils are found on the seashore, how they got there, and what their preservation tells us about ancient environments. [...] his prose is precise yet accessible, peppered with examples that make the reader pause and look again at what seems familiar. [...] If you’re heading to the shore with a collecting bag and keen eyes, this book is quite likely worth your time and money.’
Jon Trevelyan, Deposits
'Donovan has used his lifetime of experiences to produce a clearly written, easily understandable and extremely well illustrated book on the world of borers and encrusters in fossil and modern environments. Although aimed at amateurs and students, this book would be a valuable addition to any palaeontologist’s or beachcomber’s library. [...] The extensive, high-quality photographs of modern and fossil examples make the book an excellent guide for the identification of trace fossils found on or in hard substrates on the beach.'
Peter Riches, Bulletin of the Geological Society of Norfolk
