Download Mary Anning

UNIT
12
The history of the Earth
MARY ANNING: THE FOSSIL
HUNTER
Biology and Geology 4. Secondary Education
UNIT
UNIT
12
3
Mary anning: the fossil hunter
Her biography
• Mary Anning (1799-1847) was
born in Lyme Regis, a coastal
town in the south of the United
Kingdom. This area contains
many fossils from the Mesozoic
Era.
• Mary Anning would search
among the rocks at low tide to
collect the fossils that had been
dislodged from the rocks.
Biology and Geology 4. Secondary Education
UNIT
UNIT
12
3
Mary anning: the fossil hunter
Her biography
• Because of her desperate
financial situation, Mary Anning
would sell the fossils she found
in order to survive.
• In 1820, a fossil collector
organised a big auction of
specimens and most of the
fossils discovered by Mary
Anning went on to become part
of private collections and
museum collections.
Lyme Regis Coast, where there are abundant
fossils from the Mesozoic Era.
Biology and Geology 4. Secondary Education
UNIT
UNIT
12
3
Mary anning: the fossil hunter
Her contribution to science
Her findings include:
• The first ichthyosaur skeleton, which
she also identified as a new species.
• The first plesiosaur skeleton.
• Some fish fossils.
• Her findings were instrumental in
reconstructing the past and history of
life on Earth.
Reconstruction of a plesiosaur
Biology and Geology 4. Secondary Education
UNIT
UNIT
12
3
Mary anning: the fossil hunter
Social recognition
• When Mary Anning died, scientists and historians attributed the fossil discoveries to
the naturalists who had purchased them. In those days, it was not appropriate to
attribute these findings to a woman, let alone a working class woman.
• Currently, Mary Anning is considered the greatest fossil hunter and discoverer of
fossils in history.
Reconstruction of life in the Mesozoic Era, a time from which Mary Anning found many
fossils.
Biology and Geology 4. Secondary Education