Pennsylvanian Fossil Study
This
web page describes what life in southern Illinois was like about 300
million years ago during the Pennsylvanian period. As depicted in
this image (left), southern Illinois had a tropical climate and was
occupied by a large delta system, which created important coal
forming peat swamps.
B.I.G. participants spent many hours over
the last three years collecting, preparing and identifying fossil
plant and animal specimens from fossil sites in the Williamson
County, Illinois area. Like pieces to a giant jigsaw puzzle, these
fossil specimens provide bits of detailed information to further our
understanding of ancient life in southern Illinois. Some of these
extraordinary treasures are identified and displayed below. The
B.I.G. group meets every monday after school to
analyze fossils or to work on
other earth science projects. 
Periodically
the group of junior geologists lead field trips to collect data or
fossil specimens. B.I.G.
participants recently published an abstract
and paper
discussing this fossil project and the results from three years of
fossil related research. A formal poster presentation was made on
April 9th, 1999 at the 91st
Annual Illinois State Academy of
Science symposium on the SIUC
campus. Learn more about our scientific presentation at the
poster
web
site.
Fossil adventures sponsored by the Southern Illinois University Museum and led by Harvey Henson of the Department of Geology have interested a large number of area residents in the ancient history of southern Illinois. Several individuals who attended these outdoor adventures contributed fossil specimens to our study. All of the information and fossil specimens from these activities will be placed into the University Museum archives and displayed as part of the George Fraunfelter Fossil Gallery permanent exhibit.
Some recommended reading for fossil hunters in Illinois.
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Guide To Pennsylvanian Fossil Plants Of Illinois
Educational
Series #13 |
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Guide For Beginning Fossil Hunters
Educational
Series #4 |
Please allow enough time for these detailed images to load, they are worth the wait. Select each image to view an enlarged (1.5X normal size) version. Select the fossil name to learn more about that ancient plant or animal.
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Neuropteris rarinervis
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Pecopteris mazoniana
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Pecopteris aborescens
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Calamites cistii
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(Crustacean)
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Calamites cistii
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Cyclopteris sp.
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Calamites cistii
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Annularia stellata
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Asolanus camptotaenia
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Lepidostrobus sp. (lycopod leaf)
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Leaia tricarnata
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Pecopteris mazoniana
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Pecopteris mazoniana
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Neuropteris scheuchzeri
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Odontopteris aequalis
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Leaia tricarnata
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Sphenopteris furcata
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Neuropteris scheuchzeri
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Neuropteris scheuchzeri
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Pecopteris mazoniana
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Pecopteris mazoniana
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More Fossils Coming Soon |
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SIUC / College of Science / Geology /
Big
URL: http://www.geology.siu.edu/big/fossils.html
Written by Harvey Henson and the Students of BIG
