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So I was out for a walk the other day, i found myself wondering across the shore of a big reservoir that is maybe about 20ft shallower than normal. I ended up finding a thin fossiliferous layer exposed, no sign of fossils above or below this particular layer, which as far as I could tell was just a few inches thick. Question is, how could I get a date? I have spent ages looking at geological pdf's found on Google, can't find anything about a layer of marine fossils this far inland. I am in South East Wales. Thanks, Mark

Dear all, I am totally new to the community. I found what seems to be a fossilised octopus arm, a couple of days ago, along with some solens (I guess). From that "discovery", many wonders/questions. The fossile was found in on one of the boulders displayed in the attached picture. I think that these boulders did not form naturally, as we have a lot of dams/failed attempt to put together dams in the past in that particular area. So I realise I may need to figure out where these boulders originated form/how they ended up here to get any further in my research... but I'd need some motivational incentive: is the community here able to confirm this is a fossilised octopus' arm?

I thought this was an interesting concept... http://www.cardfund.org/ "The Community Archaeology Radiocarbon Dating (CARD) Fund was established and funded by Archaeological Research Services Ltd and the SUERC Radiocarbon dating laboratory in January 2016. The fund consists of a set number of radiocarbon dates available on an annual basis that community archaeology groups or projects can apply for. For 2016 there will be 10 radiocarbon dates available. The fund is not open to universities, students, professional archaeological organisations or large charities. It is directed specifically at community groups seeking to obtain radiocarbon dates on key samples from sites they have investigated." I could imagine something similar set up for avocational paleontology perhaps funded by individual membership fee or donations. Application criteria might encourage responsible/professional collection and documentation of a specimen suspected to have some scientific significance, but the local museum or university isn't interested or doesn't have the resources available. Establishing a qualified review committee transparent and agreeable to everyone might be more of a challenge. Darrow