The Hauxton Fossil Diggings

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Set in the 1840s, the narrative explores the discovery of coprolites in the Cambridgeshire fens, initially mistaken for fossilized dinosaur droppings. These phosphate-rich deposits sparked a booming demand among manure manufacturers, leading to extensive excavation throughout the region by the 1860s. The book delves into the social, economic, and archaeological ramifications of these fossil diggings, focusing on the small rural community of Hauxton and its transformation due to this unexpected resource.