Paludina Limestone or Sussex Marble

Today has been a very good day spent at Worthing College at a special conference for Science Technicians. As well as an excellent keynote speech, there were three workshops. The first was on Geology and given the enthusiasm of the lecturer, he certainly refired up my enthusiasm for the subject.

In addition to the picture I did with stones last month, I've always been interested in what lies under your feet wherever you are. The effects it has on landforms and vegetation is particularly interesting and how man has helped to shape this. Having seen something of the big collection of rocks and fossils that were on display, I felt a rock picture would be very appropriate for today after a good conference.

What is known as Paludina Limestone is a rock made up almost entirely of Viviparus fluviorum fossils. This is found in beds in the Weald Clay in the Weald of Kent, Sussex and Surrey. Laid down during the Cretaceous Period, this is a fossil gastropod that lived in shallow freshwater lakes and marshes. The rock takes a high polish and has been used in churches and other buildings in decorative work. The shells also contain calcite crystals that show up well when the stone is polished up. This is a step at Thakeham on the way up to the church. Flagstones and steps are a common place to see these stones in use and there is a lot at this location along with many places locally.