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Look, I've Found a Fossil!

If you're a fossil hunter, go to Costa da Caparica!
As I was walking on the sand, staring down in front of my feet - I came across a peculiar rock... a fossil rock.

The large cliff that runs roughly parallel with the coastline is officially called Costa da Caparica Fossil Cliff Protected Landscape. As its name suggests - it's rich in fossils.

Having been very enthusiastic about fossils and geology ever since I was a kid, I was scanning the beach for fossils. Although, the beach is a long walk away from the cliff, I came across and interesting specimen...

Ideally, for fossil hunting you should go to the cliff. I came across this one on the wet sand of the beach.

The sedimentary rock strata at the cliff dates back to around 10 million years (Pliocene period). Back then, the ocean reached the base of the cliff. Since then is had retracted gradually.

Woodland is found on top of the cliff and the area behind it. The trees were planted in the 1700's at the order of King D. João V., who wanted to stop the spread of the sandy dune area further inland - which would have negatively affected the agriculture.

The forest area is a protected area. You'll find pine species and mastic trees.

OK, so fossil-hunting could be another reason for visiting the interesting Caparica Beach area!

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