This is a worldwide list of important and/or well-known localities where fossils have been found. Such locations may either be a geological formation or a single site.
Geological formations consist of rock that was deposited throughout a specific period of time. They usually extend for large areas, and sometimes there are different important sites in which the same formation is exposed. In such cases, the sites should be listed under the appropriate formation. On the other hand, many formations are for all practical purposes only studied at a single site, usually the type locality.
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Africa (including Madagascar)
|
| Site | Country/State | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Afar Depression | Ethiopia | Pliocene |
| Ahl al Oughlam | Morocco | Upper Pliocene |
| Awash River | Ethiopia | Pliocene |
| Bahariya Formation | Egypt | Upper Cretaceous |
| Clarens Formation | South Africa | Lower Jurassic |
| Cradle of Humankind - Coopers Cave - Gladysvale Cave - Kromdraai - Motsetsi - Plovers Lake - Sterkfontein - Swartkrans and others |
South Africa | Pliocene-Pleistocene |
| Elliot Formation | South Africa | Triassic-Jurassic |
| Erlhaz Formation | Niger | Lower Cretaceous |
| Hadar Formation | Ethiopia | Pliocene |
| Herto Bouri | Ethiopia | Pleistocene |
| Hoedjiespunt | South Africa | Pleistocene |
| Jebel Irhoud | Morocco | Pleistocene |
| Jebel Qatrani Formation | Egypt | Eocene-Oligocene |
| Karoo Supergroup - Golden Gate Highlands |
Southern Africa | Permian-Lower Jurassic |
| Klasies River Caves | South Africa | Pleistocene |
| Koobi Fora | Kenya | Pliocene-Pleistocene |
| Laetoli | Tanzania | Pliocene-Pleistocene |
| Lothagam | Kenya | Miocene-Pliocene |
| Maevarano Formation | Madagascar | Upper Cretaceous |
| Molteno Formation | South Africa | Upper Triassic |
| Olduvai Gorge | Tanzania | Pliocene |
| Omo Kibish | Ethiopia | Pliocene-Pleistocene |
| Orapa | Botswana | Upper Cretaceous |
| Qasr el Sagha Formation | Egypt | Eocene |
| Rusinga Island | Kenya | Miocene |
| Taung | South Africa | Pliocene |
| Tegana Formation | Morocco | Lower Cretaceous |
| Tendaguru Formation | Tanzania | Upper Jurassic |
Antarctica
| Site | Age |
|---|---|
| Cross Valley Formation | Upper Paleocene |
| La Meseta Formation | Eocene |
| López de Bertodano Formation | Upper Cretaceous – Lower Paleocene (Maastrichtian – Danian) |
| Mount Kirkpatrick Formation | Triassic-Middle Jurassic |
| Santa Marta Formation | Upper Cretaceous |
| Sobral Formation | Lower Paleocene (Danian) |
Asia
| Site | Country/State | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Baissa | Russia | Lower Cretaceous |
| Balabansai Formation | Kazakhstan | Upper Jurassic |
| Barun Goyot Formation | Mongolia | Upper Cretaceous |
| Bayan Shireh Formation | Mongolia | Upper Cretaceous |
| Baynunah Formation | United Arab Emirates | Upper Miocene |
| Bissekty Formation | Uzbekistan | Cretaceous |
| Bugti Hills | Pakistan | Oligocene |
| Chaomidianzi Formation | China | Lower Cretaceous |
| Chengjiang | China | Cambrian |
| Dabeigou Formation | China | Cretaceous |
| Daohugou Beds | China | Jurassic or Cretaceous |
| Dashanpu Formation | China | Middle Jurassic |
| Dashuigou Formation | China | Lower Cretaceous |
| Djadochta Formation | Mongolia | Upper Cretaceous |
| Eijnhoro Formation | China | Lower Cretaceous |
| Es Skhul | Israel: Mount Carmel | Pliocene |
| Flaming Cliffs | Mongolia | Cretaceous |
| Hakel | Lebanon | Cretaceous |
| Huadian Formation | China | Eocene |
| Indricotherium Formation | Kazakhstan | Oligocene |
| Irdin Manha Formation | Mongolia | Eocene |
| Iren Dabasu Formation | China | Upper Cretaceous |
| Jindong Formation | Korea | Cretaceous |
| Jiufotang Formation | China | Lower Cretaceous |
| Khukhtek Formation | Mongolia | Lower Cretaceous |
| Kerman | Iran | Jurassic [1][2] |
| Kitadani Quarry | Japan | Lower Cretaceous |
| Kota Formation | India | Lower Jurassic |
| Minatogawa Man | Japan | Neogene |
| Lake Nojiri | Japan | Pleistocene |
| Lameta Formation | India | Upper Cretaceous |
| Lang Trang Caves | Vietnam | Pleistocene |
| Liang Bua Cave, Flores | Indonesia | Pleistocene |
| Lufeng Formation | China | Jurassic |
| Maleri Formation | India | Upper Triassic |
| Minhe Formation | China | Cretaceous |
| Nemegt Formation | Mongolia | Upper Cretaceous |
| Oi Formation | Japan | Miocene |
| Qafzeh | Israel: Nazareth | Pliocene |
| Saketi Fossil Park | India | Pleistocene |
| Sao Khua Formation | Thailand | Lower Cretaceous |
| Shishugou Formation | China | Upper Jurassic |
| Tabun | Israel | Pliocene |
| Tham Khuyen Caves | Vietnam | Jurassic |
| Tiaojishan Formation | China | Middle Jurassic |
| Trinil, Java | Indonesia | Pleistocene |
| Tuchengzi Formation | China | Lower Cretaceous |
| Tugulu Group | China | Lower Cretaceous |
| Udurchukan Formation | Russia | Upper Cretaceous: Maastrichtian? |
| Ulansuhai Formation | China | Lower Cretaceous |
| Wucaiwan Formation | China | Middle Jurassic |
| Xiagou Formation | China | Cretaceous |
| Xinminbao Group | China | Lower Cretaceous |
| Xiushan Formation | China: Guizhou | Lower Silurian: Llandovery |
| Yixian Formation | China | Lower Cretaceous |
| Yuliangze Formation | China | Upper Cretaceous |
| Zhongming Formation | China | Devonian |
| Zhoukoudian | China | Pleistocene |
Europe
| Site | Country/State | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Aetokremnos | Cyprus | Holocene: Mesolithic |
| Ana | Spain | Late Cretaceous |
| Atapuerca | Spain | Pleistocene |
| Batallones | Spain | Miocene |
| Bembridge Marls | England | Oligocene |
| Borgloon Formation | Belgium | Oligocene |
| Buñol | Spain | Miocene |
| Calizas de La Huérguina Formation | Spain | Cretaceous: Barremian |
| Crevillente | Spain | Miocene |
| Crô-Magnon | France | Pleistocene |
| Dmanisi | Georgia | Pleistocene |
| Es Pouás | Ibiza (Balearic Islands) | Pleistocene/Holocene |
| Fossil Grove | Scotland | Carboniferous: Serpukhovian |
| Fur Formation | Denmark | Lower Eocene |
| Grès à Reptiles | France | Jurassic |
| Guimarota | Portugal | Late Jurassic |
| Hampstead Formation | England | Oligocene |
| Hunsrück Slates | Germany: Bundenbach | Devonian |
| Jurassic Coast | England | Jurassic |
| Kattendijk Sands | Belgium | Pliocene |
| La Chapelle-aux-Saints | France | Pleistocene |
| La Ferrassie | France | Pleistocene |
| La Roma | Spain | Miocene |
| Las Hoyas | Spain | Cretaceous |
| Liedenas Sandstone | Spain | Upper Eocene: Priabonian |
| Lo Hueco | Spain | Cretaceous |
| London Clay | England | Eocene |
| Lourinhã Formation | Portugal | Late Jurassic |
| Lyme Regis | England: Dorset | Jurassic |
| Maastricht Formation | Benelux | Cretaceous |
| Maltravieso Cave | Spain | Pleistocene |
| Mauer | Germany | Pleistocene |
| Messel Pit | Germany | Eocene |
| Monte Bolca | Italy | Eocene |
| Murero | Spain | Cambrian |
| Neandertal - Feldhofer grotto |
Germany | Pleistocene |
| Oxford Clay | England | Jurassic |
| Paris Basin - Argile Plastique |
France | Eocene - Lower Eocene |
| Pobiti Kamani | Bulgaria | Mesozoic |
| Pontnewydd Cave | Wales | Pleistocene |
| Quercy Phosphorites | France | Eocene/Oligocene |
| Rhynie Chert | Scotland | Devonian |
| Riodeva | Spain | Tithonian/Berriasian |
| Sajóvölgyi Formation | Hungary | Miocene: Late Badenian |
| Sânpetru Formation | Romania | Cretaceous: Maastrichtian |
| Santa Ana Cave | Spain | Pleistocene |
| Sieblos Dysodil | Germany | Oligocene |
| Solnhofen limestone | Germany | Jurassic |
| Turritellenplatte | Germany: Baden-Württemberg | Miocene: mid-Burdigalian |
| Valkenburg Formation | Belgium | Cretaceous |
| Venta del Moro | Spain | Miocene |
| Venta Micena | Spain | Pliocene |
| Wessex Formation | England | Cretaceous |
North America
| Site | Country/State | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Agate Fossil Beds National Monument | USA: Nebraska | Miocene |
| Aquia Formation | USA: Maryland and Virginia | Paleocene |
| Ash Hollow Formation - Ashfall Fossil Beds |
USA: Nebraska | Miocene - Clarendonian |
| Aucilla River | USA: Florida | Pleistocene/Holocene |
| Austin Chalk | USA: Texas | Late Cretaceous |
| Bainbridge Formation | USA: Missouri | Silurian |
| Bakken Formation | USA/Canada: Montana, North Dakota and Saskatchewan | Upper Devonian - Lower Carboniferous (Early Mississippian) |
| Bighill Creek Formation | Canada | Upper Pleistocene |
| Big Sandy Formation | USA: Arizona | Miocene |
| Blanco Formation | USA: Kansas, Texas | Pliocene/Pleistocene |
| Bone Cabin Quarry | USA: Wyoming | Jurassic |
| Bone Valley Formation | USA: Florida | Pliocene |
| Bridger Formation | USA: Wyoming | Eocene |
| Brule Formation | USA : South Dakota | Oligocene |
| Burgess Shale | Canada: British Columbia | Cambrian: Albertan |
| Calvert Formation | USA: Maryland | Miocene |
| Cañón del Tule Formation | Mexico | Cretaceous: Maastrichtian |
| Cedar Mountain Formation | USA: Colorado and Utah | Cretaceous |
| Cerro del Pueblo Formation | Mexico | Cretaceous: Campanian |
| Cerro Grande Formation | Mexico | Cretaceous: Maastrichtian |
| Cerro Huerta Formation | Mexico | Cretaceous: Campanian-Maastrichtian |
| Chuckanut Formation | USA: Washington | Eocene |
| Clarita Formation | USA: Oklahoma | Silurian |
| Clarno Formation | USA: Oregon | Eocene |
| Como Bluff | USA: Wyoming | Mesozoic |
| Coon Creek Formation | USA: Tennessee and Mississippi | Cretaceous: Maastrichtian |
| Decorah Shale | Upper Midwestern USA, esp. Minnesota | Ordovician |
| Delorme Formation | Canada: Yukon | Silurian-Devonian |
| Demopolis Chalk Formation | USA: Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee | Cretaceous |
| Dinosaur Park Formation | Canada: Alberta | Cretaceous: Campanian |
| Dinosaur State Park | USA: Connecticut | Jurassic |
| Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park | Canada: British Columbia | Eocene |
| Drumheller, Badlands | Canada: Alberta | Mesozoic |
| Dumugol Formation | USA: | |
| Edson Beds | USA: Kansas | Pliocene: Blancan |
| Eutaw Formation | USA: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi | Cretaceous |
| Falls of the Ohio | USA: Indiana | Devonian |
| Florissant Fossil Beds | USA: Colorado | Eocene: Priabonian |
| Fossil Prairie Park | USA: Iowa | Devonian |
| Ghost Ranch | USA: New Mexico | Triassic |
| Glenns Ferry Formation - Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument |
USA: Idaho | Pliocene/Pleistocene |
| Glen Rose Formation | USA: Texas | Cretaceous: Aptian-Albian |
| Gower Formation | USA: Iowa | Silurian |
| Gray Fossil Site | USA: Tennessee | Miocene |
| Green River Formation | USA: Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming | Eocene |
| Gunflint Chert in Gunflint Range | Canada: western Ontario & USA: Minnesota | Upper Archaean - Lower Proterozoic |
| Hawthorne Formation | USA: South Carolina | Miocene |
| Hell Creek Formation | USA: Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming | Cretaceous: Maastrichtian |
| Hornerstown Formation | USA: New Jersey | Cretaceous/Paleocene |
| Huerfano Formation | USA: Colorado | Eocene |
| Joggins | Canada: Nova Scotia | Carboniferous |
| John Day Formation | USA: Oregon | Oligocene/Miocene |
| Judith River Formation | USA: Montana | Cretaceous: Campanian |
| Kanawha Formation | USA: West Virginia | Pennsylvanian |
| Kayenta Formation | USA: Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah | Jurassic |
| Keefer Formation | USA | |
| Klondike Mountain Formation | USA: Washington | Eocene: Ypresian |
| Krukowski Quarry | USA:Wisconsin | Cambrian |
| La Brea Tar Pits | USA: California | Pleistocene: Rancholabrean |
| Lance Creek Formation | USA: North Dakota and Wyoming | Cretaceous: Maastrichtian |
| Las Encinas Formation | Mexico | Cretaceous: Maastrichtian |
| Las Imágenes Formation | Mexico | Cretaceous: Maastrichtian |
| Lennep Formation | USA: Montana | Cretaceous |
| Linton Formation | USA: Ohio | Pennsylvanian |
| Lockatong Formation | USA: New Jersey | Triassic |
| Mascall Formation | USA: Oregon | Miocene |
| Mattoon Formation | USA: | |
| Mazon Creek | USA: Illinois | Carboniferous: Pennsylvanian |
| McAbee Fossil Beds | Canada: British Columbia | Eocene |
| McKenzie Formation | USA: West Virginia | Silurian |
| Melbourne Bone Bed | USA: Florida | Pleistocene |
| Medina Formation | Silurian | |
| Miguasha National Park | Canada: Québec | Devonian: Famennian |
| Mooreville Chalk Formation | USA: Alabama and Mississippi | Cretaceous |
| Monterey Formation | USA: California | Miocene |
| Morrison Formation | Canada/USA: Great Plains | Upper Jurassic |
| Naco Formation | USA: | |
| Nanjemoy Formation | USA: Virginia | Eocene |
| Navesink Formation | USA: New Jersey | Cretaceous |
| Niobrara Formation | USA: Kansas | Cretaceous |
| Ogalalla Formation | USA: Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico | Miocene/Pliocene |
| Oldman Formation | Canada: Alberta | Cretaceous: Campanian |
| Page-Ladson prehistory site | USA: Florida | Pleistocene/Holocene |
| Pikeville Formation | USA: | |
| Pipe Creek Sinkhole | USA: Indiana | Pliocene |
| Pocahontas Formation | USA: West Virginia | |
| Pocono Formation | USA: Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia | Mississippian |
| Price West Formation | USA: West Virginia | |
| Puget Group | USA: Washington | Upper Eocene |
| Quarry Mountain Formation | USA: Oklahoma | Silurian |
| Rancho Nuevo Formation | Mexico | Cretaceous-Paleocene: Maastrichtian-Danian |
| Rattlesnake Formation | USA: Oregon | Miocene: Tortonian-Messinian |
| Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite | USA: Wyoming | Middle Jurassic |
| Rexroad Formation | USA: Kansas | Pliocene |
| Rincón Colorado | Mexico: Coahuila | Cretaceous |
| Ripley Formation | USA: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee | Cretaceous |
| Rosebud Formation | USA: South Dakota | Miocene |
| Rose Hill Formation | USA: | |
| Sheep Creek Formation | USA: Nebraska | Miocene: Upper Hemingfordian? |
| Smoky Hill Chalk | USA: Nebraska | Cretaceous |
| St. Clair Limestone | USA: Arkansas | Silurian |
| Syracuse Formation | USA: New York | Silurian |
| Temblor Formation | USA: California | Miocene |
| Texas Red Beds | USA: Texas | Permian |
| Thomas Farm | USA: Florida | Miocene |
| Traverse Group (Petoskey) | USA: Michigan | Devonian |
| Tuscacora Formation | USA: | Silurian |
| Two Medicine Formation | USA: Montana | Cretaceous: Campanian |
| Wannagan Creek Fossil Site | USA: North Dakota | Paleocene |
| Washakie Formation | USA: Wyoming | Eocene |
| Wheeler Shale | USA: Utah | Cambrian |
| White River Formation | USA: Colorado | Upper Eocene to mid-Oligocene |
| Willwood Formation | USA: Wyoming | Paleocene/Eocene |
| Woodbine Formation | USA: Texas | Cenomanian |
| Zion National Park | USA: Utah | Triassic and Jurassic |
| Zuni Basin | USA: New Mexico | Cretaceous |
Oceania
| Site [3] | State/Territory/region | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Alcoota | Northern Territory (Australia) | Miocene |
| Apex chert, Pilbara Craton | Western Australia: Marble Bar | Archaean eon |
| Bathans Formation | Otago (New Zealand) | Miocene |
| Bluff Downs | Queensland (Australia) | Pliocene |
| Bullock Creek | Northern Territory (Australia) | Miocene |
| Canowindra-Gooloogong | New South Wales | Devonian |
| Cape Range | Western Australia | Miocene |
| Cuddie Springs | New South Wales (Australia) | Pleistocene |
| Curio Bay | Southland (New Zealand) | Jurassic |
| Dinosaur Cove | Victoria (Australia) | Cretaceous |
| Dinosaur Dreaming | Victoria (Australia) | Cretaceous |
| Ediacara Hills | South Australia: Flinders Ranges | Ediacaran |
| Emu Bay shale | South Australia: Kangaroo Island | Lower Cambrian |
| Etadunna Formation | South Astralia | Oligocene/Miocene |
| Georgina Basin | Queensland, Northern Territory (Australia) | Neoproterozoic to the late Paleozoic |
| Gogo Formation | Western Australia | Devonian |
| Great Otway National Park | Victoria (Australia) | Cretaceous |
| Horseshoe Bay Limestone downs | Waikato (New Zealand) | Cretaceous |
| Knocklofty Formation | Tasmania (Australia) | Lower Triassic |
| Lake Callabonna | South Australia | Pleistocene |
| Lake Mungo | New South Wales (Australia) | Pleistocene |
| Lake Palankarinna Fossil Reserve | South Australia: Tirari Desert | Pliocene |
| Lancefield Swamp | Victoria (Australia) | Pleistocene |
| Lightning Ridge | New South Wales (Australia) | Cretaceous |
| Mammoth Cave | Western Australia | Pleistocene? |
| Mampuwordu Sands Formation | South Australia | Pliocene |
| Murgon | Queensland (Australia) | Eocene |
| Naracoorte Caves | South Australia | Pleistocene |
| Quanbun | Western Australia | Pliocene/Miocene |
| Riversleigh | Queensland (Australia) | Oligocene/Miocene |
| Waipara Formation | Canterbury (New Zealand) | Paleogene |
| Wianamatta Series | New South Wales: Sydney | Late Triassic |
South America
| Site | Country/State | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Abanico Formation | Chile | Oligocene (Rupelian) |
| Allen Formation | Argentina | Upper Cretaceous (Campanian – Maastrichtian) |
| Anacleto Formation | Argentina | Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) |
| Andalgala Formation | Argentina | Miocene/Pliocene |
| Bajo de la Carpa Formation | Argentina | Upper Cretaceous (Santonian) |
| Beauvoir Formation | Argentina | Upper Jurassic – Lower Cretaceous |
| Camacho Formation | Uruguay | Miocene |
| Candeleros Formation | Argentina | Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) |
| Caturrita Formation, Santa Maria Formation | Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul | Permian – Triassic (Carnian, Norian) |
| Cerro Bandera Formation | Argentina | Miocene |
| Deseado Formation | Argentina | Oligocene |
| Ensenada Formation | Argentina | Pleistocene |
| Huincul Formation | Argentina | Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) |
| Ishigualasto Formation | Argentina | Triassic |
| Ituzaingó Formation | Argentina | Upper Miocene (Huayquerian) |
| Jaguel Formation | Argentina | Upper Cretaceous/Lower Paleocene (Maastrichtian – Danian) |
| Lemaire Formation | Argentina | Upper Jurassic |
| Leticia Formation | Argentina | Eocene (Bartonian) |
| Lecho Formation | Argentina | Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) |
| Lisandro Formation | Argentina | Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian – Turonian) |
| Lohan Cura Formation | Argentina | Lower Cretaceous (Aptian – Albian) |
| Mylodon Cave | Chile | Pleistocene |
| Olmedo Formation | Argentina | Paleocene |
| Quinriquina Formation | Chile | Cretaceous |
| Patagonia Molasses | Argentina | Miocene |
| Pinturas Formation | Argentina | Miocene (Burdigalian – Langhian)[verification needed] |
| Plottier Formation | Argentina | Upper Cretaceous (Coniacian – ?Santonian) |
| Portezuelo Formation | Argentina | Upper Cretaceous (Turonian – Coniacian) |
| Rio Colorado Formation | Argentina | Cretaceous |
| Roca Formation | Argentina | Paleocene |
| San Julian Formation | Argentina | Eocene/Oligocene |
| Santa Cruz Formation | Argentina | Miocene |
Santana Formation
|
Brazil | Cretaceous |
| Santa Maria Formation | Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul | Permian – Triassic (Ladinian – Carnian) |
| Sloggett Formation | Argentina | Upper Eocene/Lower Oligocene |
| Solimões Formation | Brazil | Upper Miocene/Lower Pliocene |
| Toca de Boa Vista Caves | Brazil | Pleistocene |
| Touro Passo Formation | Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul | Upper Pleistocene – Holocene |
| Tunal Formation | Argentina | Paleocene |
| Urumaco Formation | Venezuela | Miocene |
| Villavieja Formation | Colombia | Miocene |
| Yacoraite Formation | Argentina | Upper Cretaceous/Lower Paleocene (Maastrichtian – Danian) |
See also
- Fossil parks
- Fossil collecting
- List of fossil parks around the world
- List of fossil parks in India
- List of dinosaur bearing rock formations
- List of human fossils
- List of notable fossils
- Mary Anning
- Paleobiology
- Paleontology
- Rockhounding
- List of places on the Jurassic coast
Footnotes
- ^ Dinosaur Footprints Moulded In Kerman
- ^ Iran Daily
- ^ Australian locations after Vickers-Rich & Rich (1993)
References
- Vickers-Rich, Patricia & Rich, Thomas Hewett (1993); Wildlife of Gondwana. Reed. ISBN 0-7301-0315-3
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