Burgess-shale.bc.ca

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The Burgess Shale is a Middle Cambrian fossil-bearing formation located in the Canadian Rockies of British Columbia. It is one of the most important paleontological sites in the world, and has yielded a wealth of information about the evolution of life on Earth. The fossils found in the Burgess Shale are exceptionally well-preserved, and have provided scientists with a unique glimpse into the diversity of life during the Cambrian period.

The Burgess Shale was discovered in 1909 by Charles Doolittle Walcott, who was then the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Walcott was initially interested in the area because of its potential for finding trilobites, but he soon realized that the Burgess Shale contained a much wider variety of fossils. Over the next several years, Walcott and his team collected thousands of fossils from the Burgess Shale, which were eventually housed at the Smithsonian Institution.

The fossils found in the Burgess Shale include a wide variety of animals, including arthropods, mollusks, worms, and echinoderms. Many of these animals are now extinct, and the Burgess Shale fossils provide the only evidence of their existence. The Burgess Shale fossils have also helped scientists to understand the evolution of body plans in animals, and have provided insights into the early history of life on Earth.

In addition to its paleontological significance, the Burgess Shale is also a popular tourist destination. The Burgess Shale is located in Yoho National Park, and visitors can take guided tours of the fossil beds. The Burgess Shale is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Here are some additional facts about the Burgess Shale:

* The Burgess Shale is located in the Canadian Rockies of British Columbia.
* It is one of the most important paleontological sites in the world.
* The fossils found in the Burgess Shale are exceptionally well-preserved.
* The Burgess Shale fossils have provided scientists with a unique glimpse into the diversity of life during the Cambrian period.
* The Burgess Shale is a popular tourist destination.
* The Burgess Shale is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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