Old Flooded Slate Quarry, Swithland Woods, Waterways project
Flooded slate quarry, Swithland Woods, Watercolour/mixed media, 11x14 ins approx, Vivien Blackburn
The pale colours here in the ground are a little bleached out - they should have a pale pink/amber colour.
I've been looking at the old flooded quarry near Swithland woods in watercolour and coloured pencil.
The slate that was quarried there is very ancient pre-Cambrian rock - the oldest rocks in Britain. Until recently it was thought that no fossils were preserved in this ancient rock - but recently fossils of ferns have been found (details of this and the geology and history of the area are in the links below).
It's thought that the woods are the remains of primeval forest, having been there from at least 5,000BC.
Links:
The history of Swithland Woods, which may be the remains of primeval forest from 5,000 years BC
Geology/History/walks in the area
Photo of a larger pit nearby
Comments
Thanks Lindsay :>)
Take care.
Robyn - the book has arrived safely at last and thank you so much for that lovely cat print :>) I'll treasure it! Will email you.
Masterful.
Kind Regards
And what interesting geology. I had no idea that part of England was that old. I suppose my brain stays in the flooded areas of E.Anglia, which is a little short of rock.Broads and beaches.
VEry different from East Anglia Dinah - we'll be at the coast when sea levels rise and they go under!
annie