Here is an
Arial view of the quarry looking south.
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The Silurian Mother Lode |
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View of Current Operations
In 1992 a unique set of circumstances resulted in the formation of a 12 acre exposure of Middle Silurian Rochester Shale in Western New York State. Not since the digging of the Erie Canal in the early 1800's has a Rochester Shale exposure of this magnitude been created. The Rochester Shale has long been famous for its well-preserved invertebrate fossils, some of which are the best Silurian fossils in North America.
For the last 15 years, a small group of dedicated amateur fossil collectors have invested time, money and effort to recover exquisite fossils found in the quarry. Some of the specimens collected are so spectacular that museums and universities worldwide have acquired them. For example, specimens of the trilobite Arctinurus boltoni have been acquired by museums in Japan and Canada. Two other Arctinurus, which display bite marks, have gone to Ohio State University and the Paleontolological Research Institute (PRI) in Ithaca, New York. Over the years we have collected specimens that have yet to be described. We have even found an armor plated worm. Visit the Classic Photos page to see some the worlds best Silurian fossils.
