In late 2020 Dr Neville and Sally Hollingworth investigated a quarry in Wiltshire and found the clay on the quarry floor to be full of exquisitely preserved remains of sea lilies, starfish and brittle stars. The Natural History Museum has now excavated this site of international scientific importance. On the 30 March at 2pm, Bristol Aquarium will be hosting Neville and Sally Hollingworth as they present - Jurassic Pompeii.
They will be telling guests all about their adventure from first discovering the material of the Jurassic seabed and uncovering these beautiful specimens, to the geological setting, how these echinoderms lived and died, the involvement of the Natural History Museum, and the international significance of the fossils.
They will also be bringing along some of these amazing, prepared specimens for all to see.
The talk will be aimed at all ages with fun facts and fascinating stories. It will last around 45 minutes to an hour and be followed by a Q&A.
Neville and Sally said: "We are very much looking forward to describing a unique site which has produced some exceptionally well-preserved fossils that lived in our Prehistoric Seas millions of years ago, some of their closest living relatives can be seen in the aquarium today!"
Neville Hollingworth studied for a Geology Degree at Newcastle University followed by a PhD in Paleontology at the University of Durham and is now a Public Engagement Manager at the Science and Technology Facilities Council in Swindon, engaging people with everything from Atoms to Astrophysics.
As a child Sally collected ‘treasures’ often filling her sister’s pram with her finds, but never followed the path as Neville did, later turning to amateur astronomy. She is also an expert fossil preparator using mechanical & air abrading techniques.
The couple met in 2015 whilst volunteering for Cotswold Astronomical Society at the Cheltenham Science Festival.
They married in 2017 and have enjoyed many field trips since, resulting in some incredible finds including a Neanderthal Hand Axe found in 2017 with Mammoth remains which led onto the making of a BBC One documentary.
The Aquarium will be hosting this lecture for free, although pre-booking is required through the Bristol Aquarium website.
Bristol Aquarium is situated on the historic harbourside and takes visitors on an underwater adventure through the world’s oceans. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.bristolaquarium.co.uk or call 0117 929 8929.
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