The Miguasha National Park in Quebec, Canada, is a treasure trove for paleontologists and anyone fascinated by the prehistoric past. It boasts a world-renowned fossil-rich cliff, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is considered the best place on Earth to discover the fish fossil world of the Devonian period.
Miguasha National Park fossil site
The park protects the Escuminac Formation, a rock formation dating back a staggering 370 million years. This formation is exceptional due to the large number of exceptionally well-preserved fossils it contains, offering a window into the diverse lifeforms that thrived during the Devonian period, often referred to as the “Age of Fishes.”
The fossils at Miguasha include a variety of marine creatures like:
- Fish: Notably, sarcopterygian fish, which are the evolutionary ancestors of the first four-legged, air-breathing land vertebrates known as tetrapods. The park holds the distinction of having the largest number and the best-preserved fossil specimens of these fish in the world.
- Invertebrates: Creatures without backbones, like shellfish and sea scorpions.
- Plants: Fossils of various plant life that existed during the Devonian period.
The park offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about these ancient creatures through:
- Permanent exhibition: Showcasing the park’s rich fossil heritage and the Devonian period.
- Guided tours: Including visits to the fossil site itself, providing an up-close look at these remarkable fossils.
- Educational activities: Designed to engage visitors of all ages in the fascinating world of paleontology.
