My visit of the famous belemnite cemetery in Beutenaken, the Netherlands

[Mart1980]

This week I went to look for belemnites in the "big forest" near Beutenaken (South Limburg, the Netherlands), in the uncovered parts of the famous belemnite cemetery in the "Gulpense kalk" (Gulpen formation, part of the Cretaceous period).

 

If you look closely you can find a lot of (mostly fragments of) belemnites, especially Belemnitella Mucronata (Schlotheim). The high concentration of belemnites in certain places in this forest is because the limestone has disappeared through dissolution. The harder belemnites are left behind.

 

After a lot of work I finally had a day off and wanted to combine a walk with fossils. Last week it had rained, for me an excellent opportunity to walk in the beautiful south of the Netherlands and at the same time look for some Belemnites.

 

I live in the east of the Netherlands, where it is flat. So the south with its hills and small rivers like the Gulp feels like a holiday. Especially in the Beutenaken area.

 

 

 

Edited September 21, 2022 by Mart1980

[Mart1980]

In addition to its hills, the South of the Netherlands (Limburg) is known for its 'hollow roads'. The deeper, hollowed-out roads are sometimes meters deep, often richly overgrown. They were created long ago by erosion in a relief-rich environment: usually a stream of water that made its way from the plateau down into the valley. The soil types here – löss, (sandy) loam and limestone – adhere well, which explains the high, steep slopes.

 

These hollow roads still house a wealth of animal and plant species to this day. The special subsoil and the deviating microclimate created small, protected ecotopes in which species that are rare for the Netherlands thrive. Bats use them to orientate themselves, badgers build their fortresses there, rodents in turn attract birds of prey.

 

Due to the erosion, the soil layers can be clearly distinguished, which is where the Belemnites can be found. The sand screelimestone fades and beautiful belemnites roll on the path.

 

I brought some nice belemnites. I only took the complete pieces with me, the rest I left behind for other fortune seekers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 21, 2022 by Mart1980

[DPS Ammonite]

33 minutes ago, Mart1980 said:

In addition to its hills, the South of the Netherlands (Limbutg) is known for its 'hollow roads'. The deeper, hollowed-out roads are sometimes meters deep, often richly overgrown. They were created long ago by erosion in a relief-rich environment: usually a stream of water that made its way from the plateau down into the valley.

 Nice belemnites.

 

Are those “hollow roads” originally man made roads?

[FossilDAWG]

Interesting!  Do you find anything other than belemnites?  I lived in Limburg quite long ago and I still have quite a few fossils including belemnites and a few echinoids I collected there.  I gather that all of the quarries and most other sites are gone now, so I quite value the specimens I still have.

 

Don

[Mart1980]

22 minutes ago, DPS Ammonite said:

Are those “hollow roads” originally man made roads?

 

They are the result of a combination of abrasion from rainwater and use as a path by humans and animals. They are often formed on frequently used routes between a village in the stream valley and the fields and meadows on a higher plateau.

[Mart1980]

10 minutes ago, FossilDAWG said:

Interesting!  Do you find anything other than belemnites?  I lived in Limburg quite long ago and I still have quite a few fossils including belemnites and a few echinoids I collected there.  I gather that all of the quarries and most other sites are gone now, so I quite value the specimens I still have.

 

Don

 

Many quarries in the Netherlands are closed or only accessible on special occasions. So keep your fossils safe. I also have several sea urchins and so on from various old quarries from the Cretaceous period of the Netherlands. These paths near Beutenaken are freely accessible and it is wonderful to walk, you will only find belemnites here. It is a true Belemnites cemetery.

 

The peace, nature and fossils together make this place so nice!

[TqB]

What  a beautiful area, and with fine belemnites to collect it nears perfection.

[Mart1980]

5 hours ago, TqB said:

What  a beautiful area, and with fine belemnites to collect it nears perfection.

 

It was like heaven. 

[ziggycardon]

See you had a fun trip, it's indeed a very fun location to visit!  

[Mart1980]

1 hour ago, ziggycardon said:

See you had a fun trip, it's indeed a very fun location to visit!  

 

Forsure! People from the east are not used to this kind of landscape. A day of gardening there feels like a holiday .