Eocene Primate

"Phosphorite" is a phosphate mineral which is found as microcrystalline concretions of continental (non-marine) origin.

Quercy is the name of a 18th century province in the southwest of France. The region of Quercy is notable for its limestone plateau and valleys -- a karstic geology. Phosphorite was mined for fertilizer in Quercy from filled karst cavities -- sinkholes and solution channels -- within a hard, Jurassic limestone.

These pockets of phosphate were mined between 1870 and 1890 and then abandoned. Some early reports were done on the fossils from these phosphate pits. Intensive paleontological work was undertaken in 1965.

Terrestrial fossils from the phosphate diggings include many individual faunules from Eocene to Miocene in age. Mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and even insects have been collected.

The Natural Park of the Quercy, established in 1999, covers 175,717 hectares (678 square miles) and includes 97 municipalities. The territory consists of three geological environments: the plateau, valleys, and Limargue (another natural region) to the east, with a network of rivers.

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