Whitby's Prehistoric History

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The town of Whitby has a long human history with finds dating all the way back to the 6th Century; however that's where most of the human finds stop. That's not to say that the area doesn't have more history to offer though, as the rocky beachside cliffs have offered up other treasures over the years. Fossilised plants, creatures and minerals can all be found in the area and they give a fascinating window to Whitby's prehistoric past.

Many of the finds have inspired the local myths and folklore, as well as being of scientific importance, which has lead to part of the town's unique reputation. The area is so rich in fossils that the North East of Yorkshire coastline was nicknamed the 'Dinosaur Coast', as it has produced fantastic Jurassic and Cretaceous specimens, along with having some of the best geology of that time period. Some of the biggest finds have included an entire pterosaurs' skeleton, large dinosaur bones and an abundance of ammonites, a visit to the local Whitby Museum is a great way to experience some of these finds.

The Whitby Museum contains over 6500 brilliant fossil and mineral specimens, which makes it one of the largest collections of fossils from the 'Dinosaur Coast' in the world. Some of these fantastic fossils are of international importance, like the pterosaurs' skeleton mentioned above, or the finds of bones from large marine reptiles such as Plesiosaurs, Ichthyosaurs and a crocodiles. The area is also well known for its abundance of ammonites, which are the fossils most found on the beaches, which is why the town has an ammonite as it's local emblem.

This abundance of fossils has lead to the area becoming popular with both amateur and professional fossil hunters alike. The geology of the area also boosts it's popularity even further, as the landscape is mainly formed of shale and clay, meaning after almost every rainy day new fossils are washed out into the open. This means that you can find many fantastic specimens just strolling down the beaches in the area and keeping your eyes open. Runswick Bay, just north of Whitby, has even been voted the best beach combing venue in the country.

So if you're staying in one of the fantastic Whitby hotels or some other form of Whitby accommodation, taking a trip down to the beach is a great way to spend a family day out and you never know what you'll find.

This article was written by Tom Sanders on behalf of Raven Hall Hotel, a great place to stay if you are looking for Whitby Accommodation and Whitby Hotels.