Explore the Chesapeake ecosystems of Maryland's western shore and hunt for fossils at the world renowned Miocene fossil sites at Calvert Cliffs and Flag Ponds State Parks. Located close to each other on the western Maryland shore, these two nature preserves are the ideal sites for family or school trips to explore the abundant natural resources of the Chesapeake and beachcomb for ancient shells, shark teeth, and other abundant fossils from the Miocene Epoch. During the Miocene, this part of Maryland was a warm marine reef environment with an abundance of marine invertebrates and vertebrates. This ancient ecosystem is remarkably well preserved in the Miocene rocks exposed along the shoreline today. Although it is illegal and unsafe to dig into the cliffs themselves,an abundance of fossils and modern shells wash up with the surf on the beaches at the state parks making for a treasure hunt for fossil and shell seekers.

Finds from a weekend of beachcombing at the state parks (approximately 5-10 million years old):

What's in the bowl?

Miocene fossils: assorted shark teeth, scallops, coral, arc shells, venus shells, angel wing shell, barnacles, ray dental plates, turtle shell fragment (?), clams, tree osyters, crocodile tooth(?)

Current day fauna: horsehoe crab shell, oysters, and tellin shells

Here is a closer look at some of the finds: