By John Moore, Columnist
Recently, my wife and I decided to take a day trip to Joggins which is about a two-hour drive from our community. It’s easy to get there. We took the Trans-Canada highway to Amherst where we turned off at Exit 4. The drive from Amherst is very scenic and easy to follow. Before we knew it Joggins appeared, and we practically drove into the museum. Upon arriving we went to the information desk where we signed up for a 30-minute tour. There was also a 90-minute tour available, but we thought that might be too long. It turns out the shorter one was a good call. Our entrance fee also entitled us to tour the museum which has many wonderful exhibits.
Before we knew it, our tour guide, a university student, was calling us to attention. We made our way to the steps to the beach where the tide was now going out. That was a good thing as we would be able to explore for fossils and accessibility would be great. Frankly I was having a hard time believing we would really see let alone find any fossils. Boy, was I wrong.
When our group got onto the beach itself it was with a sense of wonder. The tour guide explained what we were about to see were fossils mainly derived from plants which was part of the carboniferous period some 350 million years ago. She said to the left of the stairs you go back a million years. To the right of the stairs ahead 1 million years. She said the best fossils to find are to the right of the stairs. It then occurred to me this is for real. She pointed to a big round stone. It turns out I was staring at a fossilized tree trunk 350 million years old. I found this to be mind boggling. As we walked, she pointed out more fossils. It turns out there were fossils everywhere. She went on to say if you find a fossil you can’t take it with you as it’s illegal. There is a $2000 fine if you’re caught. You can only take shells and sea glass. She also mentioned 350 million years ago the earth’s atmosphere comprised of about 40% oxygen. That’s why various animal and plant species were so large. Presently our atmosphere is only 20% oxygen. I asked the question “why the difference” She didn’t know the answer to that. Does anyone know the answer if so please let us know at Parkview News?
After the tour, we then went exploring to the right of the beach, the supposedly fossil hot spot, and found a number of fossils including what appeared to be a very small, fossilized tree trunk. I put it on one of the flat rocks where other fossils were displayed. I did find one piece of sea glass which has now been added to my collection.
One of the main founders of Joggins was Sir William Dawson from nearby Pictou. He was the first scientist to be internationally acclaimed because of his work on fossil research in 1852. He went on to be Principal of McGill University where he was the longest serving Principal in its history. Up to his appointment McGill was considered a bit of a backwater with a poor reputation. Sir William changed all that and is credited with making McGill the great university it is today. He also was never far from his vast fossil collection which was with him during all his time at McGill. After his passing it was donated to the Redpath Museum in Montreal. Dawson College in Montreal is named after him.
It should also be noted Sir Charles Darwin had a great interest in Joggins considering it to be one of the best examples of onsite evolution in the world. He referred to it in his world famous treatise “Origin of the Species”. In closing, if you ever get a chance to visit Joggins please do so. You’ll be glad you did. Happy October and remember not to forget to vote on Oct 19th or before. It’s very important to exercise your democratic right and voice.
