The dramatic and iconic cliffs at Aust contain many fossils that can be found among the rocks on the beach. Fish teeth, coprolites and scales, reptile bones and teeth, bones and molluscs have all made their way up from underground. Take a look at our introduction to Aust Cliff for fascinating facts.

Curriculum links:

1. Pupils should recognise that living things have changed over time and that fossils provide information about living things that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago (Year 6 Science).
2. Pupils should be taught to describe in simple terms how fossils are formed when things that have lived are trapped within rock (Year 3 Science).
3. Pupils should develop knowledge about the world, the United Kingdom and their locality (KS1 Geography).
4. Pupils should be taught human geography including types of settlement and land use (KS2 Geography).
5. Pupils should be taught to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination (KS1 Art).

Ideas for activities:

1. RISK ASSESSMENT NEEDED. Fossils at Aust can be found by beachcombing the foreshore, children can find teeth and small bones by searching along the tide line, shingle and amongst the seaweed.
2. Use the rocks and cliffs around Aust and the fossils found on the beach to discuss how the fossils were formed over many years of being compacted.
3. Provide pictures of fossilised animals and similar animals that still survive today. Discuss this as evidence for evolution.
4. Use this as an example of the land use in the area and compare and contrast this to other local land use, for example industrial and residential.
5. Students use the material found to build their own structures to represent the different types of land use in the area. They could also experiment with mark-making using the different materials.

Need a guide? Contact Ed Drewitt for more information.