Fossils of belemnites and ammonites, Jurassic Coast, Dorset, United Kingdom

© Nature Picture Library/Alamy Stock Phot

Unearthing the past. Fossils of belemnites and ammonites, Jurassic Coast, UK

If you're a fan of dinosaurs, trilobites, or fossilised shells, then exploring the rich fossil beds in our country is the perfect excuse to get your hands dirty. So, what's the big deal about fossils? Well, from towering T. rexes to tiny ammonites, these ancient remains help scientists piece together the puzzle of our planet's history. Yet, it's not just Canada that holds the keys to this ancient library—the entire globe is dotted with such hidden chronicles.

Let's visit the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Dorset, England, pictured here today. It's like a giant natural history museum, with rocks and cliffs that reveal 185 million years of Earth's history. But what steals the show are the fossils, especially those of belemnites and ammonites—extinct marine creatures—that are pictured here. Mary Anning, a pioneering fossil hunter who combed these shores, paved the way for our current understanding of fossils. British Columbia is home to the Burgess Shale, renowned for its exceptionally preserved fossils dating back over 500 million years. In Alberta, Dinosaur Provincial Park reveals fossils of various dinosaurs from the Late Cretaceous period over 70 million years ago. These sites contribute immensely to understanding the evolution of life on Earth.