Fossil Leaves from Ancient Lakes

Collected from lake shales, this specimen illustrates the incredibly fine features that can be preserved in fossils under the right conditions. In this case, fine silts largely derived from volcanic deposits, perfectly preserved plant and insect remains. The prominent leaf fell into the water from a Sassafras tree. The specimen also shows pine needles and a leaf, probably from alder or birch.

These fossils were collected from the McAbee Fossil Beds near Kamloops. In 2012, the Province of British Columbia protected the McAbee deposits as a heritage site.

RBCM.EH2009.020.0005.A&B