A 'Smiling' Fossil Discovered in Northumberland
A fascinating discovery has been made on Holy Island in Northumberland, a place Christine and her husband Gerard visit annually for a unique hobby. They embark on a quest to collect 'Cuddy's beads,' a term that might sound peculiar, but it refers to something quite extraordinary. These 'beads' are not ordinary trinkets; they are fossilized remains of a marine creature known as a crinoid, dating back millions of years.
Dr. Frances McIntosh, collections curator at English Heritage, explains that St. Cuthbert, the patron saint of the North of England, is the origin of the nickname. Cuthbert's presence on the island in the 7th century, his burial there, and the miracles associated with his shrine have made these fossils a symbol of spiritual significance. The tradition of collecting these 'beads' has endured for centuries, with people believing they hold spiritual power.
However, a recent discovery by Christine has added a humorous twist to this ancient tradition. While hunting for the traditional 'beads' on Boxing Day, she stumbled upon something unexpected—a fossil that appeared to be smiling! It was a set of teeth, a rare and amusing find that has left her and the British Geological Survey (BGS) intrigued.
The fossil, identified by the BGS, is indeed a crinoid, an ancient marine animal that first appeared over 500 million years ago during the Cambrian period. Crinoids are known for their flexible stems, which are attached to the seafloor, and their branching arms that resemble sea lilies. Dr. Jan Hennissen, a senior paleontologist at the BGS, describes the fossil as a column of ossicles, the small discs that make up the crinoid's stem.
The fossil's unique shape, with a split and curved stem, gives it a 'mouth-like' appearance. Dr. Hennissen suggests it might be from the Alston Formation, a dark limestone rock about 350 million years old. Crinoids, part of the Echinodermata phylum, are rare to find in their complete form, but individual ossicles are common and often resemble polo mints. This discovery not only highlights the island's rich geological history but also adds a touch of humor to the traditional collection of 'Cuddy's beads.'
