The town of Villa de Leyva, which is currently over 7000 feet above sea level, is in the heart of an area that was once under the sea. When walking around the town and the surrounding countryside, this becomes obvious as there are nautical fossils everywhere (from the Mesozoic and Cretaceous periods).
The majority of the fossils are ammonites, an extinct species of marine invertebrate. Here’s a drawing of one of these little fellows alive.
These ammonite fossils can literally be found inside rocks all over the countryside. Many locals have found dozens and now sell them to tourists. Many more are on display in museums.
Other small fossils are common as well. . .all sorts of extinct animal parts can be found in the area. . .
In fact, fossils are so common that they have been used for hundreds of years in Villa de Leyva as decorative elements in architecture. Homes, restaurants, and monasteries all have floors full of fossils. This can turn a casual walk through town into a visit to a museum. Although, admittedly, it feels a bit strange to be walking all over the exhibits!
The most famous fossil to be found in Villa de Leyva, however, is El Fósil.
El Fósil is a 12 foot fossil of a kronosaurus found in a field outside of town in 1977. Here’s an artist’s rendition of a “living” kronosaurus:
At the time of the discovery of this huge, nearly complete, fossil, a decision was made to leave it for study and display, in the same spot. So a museum was created around the fossil.
It’s very interesting to think that a place higher than Denver, Colorado, used to be completely under water - -12 ft fish once swam in the exact spot where I’m hiking!
Follow @reneestreet
No comments:
Post a Comment