The Shillington Fossil Diggings

More about the book

Set in the 1840s, the narrative explores the discovery of coprolites in the Cambridgeshire fens, initially believed to be fossilized dinosaur droppings. The phosphate-rich deposits sparked a booming demand among manure manufacturers, leading to extensive excavation in central Bedfordshire by the mid-1860s. The book delves into the profound social, economic, and archaeological effects of these fossil diggings on the small rural community of Shitlington, now known as Shillington, highlighting its transformation during this period.