Digging Deep: Discovering the Somerset Coalfields

Discover Somerset coal mining history, then hunt for your own Carboniferous fossils, uncovering an ancient tropical world beneath your feet.

This talk explores the rich fossil heritage of the Somerset coalfield, revealing what these ancient remains tell us about the landscapes and ecosystems that once flourished here. Andy Gordon will explain how the coal measures formed, and together with fellow geologist Martin Whiteley, showcase the remarkable plant fossils preserved within them. Learn about the history of the coalfield and how the work of early geological pioneers helped shape our understanding of the area and its industrial significance.