Family Makes Province's Most Significant Fossil Find

Published by the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Patrick Keating knew he and his family found something special while walking along the Northumberland Shore with their dog Kitty. But they had no idea they had made one of the most significant fossil discoveries in Nova Scotia. It is the first rib cage, backbone and partial sail of the sail-back reptile to be found in Nova Scotia. A week later, they found a skull of a sail-back reptile.

Quotes

“ This is a great day for Nova Scotians and the world. These fossils of extinct animals connect us to our past by helping to tell the story of Nova Scotia's and the earth's history. This enriches our lives today and gives us insight for the future. ” Leonard Preyra, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage

“ A new window into our ancient world has just opened. This is just the beginning of the story as we undertake the task of determining exactly what type of sail-back reptile Superstar is, where, and how, it lived and died. ” Deborah Skilliter, curator of geology for the Nova Scotia Museum

“ We really had no idea how significant this was. My brother Peter and his kids took the pieces to the Nova Scotia Museum and when we learned what they were, we were truly amazed and so glad we brought them in. ” Patrick Keating, who found the fossils

“ This is the perfect example of why the Special Places Protection Act is in place. The act allows fossils to be properly researched, displayed and enjoyed by thousands of people for years to come. ” Leonard Preyra, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage

Quick Facts

The sail-back reptile, a mammal-like reptile, lived during the late Carboniferous Period or early Permian Period, making it 290 million to 305 million years old.

Palaeontologists knew the sail-back reptile existed in the area as footprints were found in 1994 at Brule, Colchester Co., and isolated bones were discovered in 1845 in P.E.I.

Mr. Keating, his wife Susie and their son Zachary, went back to the same location a week after their first find and, remarkably, found the skull of a sail-back reptile, which researchers have affectionately named Superstar.

Palaeontologists and other staff from the Nova Scotia Museum, the Fundy Geological Museum, and the Joggins Fossil Institute are working together to unravel the mystery.

The original find has led to the discovery of a dragonfly wing fossil at the same site, one of five discovered in Nova Scotia.

Leonard Preyra, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage, commended the two families for doing the right thing by bringing the fossils to the Nova Scotia Museum.

The Special Places Protection Act protects important archaeological, historical and palaeontological sites and remains, including those underwater.

Superstar will be on display for two weeks at the Museum of Natural History, 1747 Summer St., Halifax, starting Saturday, Aug. 18.

Nova Scotia is known around the world for its fossils and in 2008, the Joggins Fossil Cliffs, one of the province's most fossil-rich areas, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Learn More

Media Contact

Glenn Friel Communities, Culture and Heritage 902-456-7416 E-mail: frielgp @ gov . ns . ca

Images

Download high-res version Partial rib cage, shoulder blade and sail of 'Superstar' the sail-back reptile.

Download high-res version Palaeontologists from the Nova Scotia Museum, Fundy Geological Museum, and the Joggins Fossil Institute along with the members of the Keating families, who discovered the fossils, at the dig site.

Download high-res version The fossilized skull of a sail-back reptile.

Download high-res version The impression of part of the rib cage, sail and skull of the sail-back reptile in the cliff.

Download high-res version Leonard Preyra, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage, looks at the Superstar fossil held by Deborah Skilliter, curator of geology for the Nova Scotia Museum.

Download high-res version Deborah Skilliter, curator of geology for the Nova Scotia Museum, holds the first rib cage, backbone and partial sail of the sail-back reptile to be found in Nova Scotia.

Download high-res version Leonard Preyra, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage, and Thomas Keating, a member of the family who found the fossils, look at the 'Superstar' display.

Download high-res version Leonard Preyra, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage, and Deborah Skilliter, curator of geology for the Nova Scotia Museum who is holding the Superstar fossil, stand with the Keating families, who found and brought the artifacts to the museum.

Download high-res version Superstar will be on display for two weeks at the Museum of Natural History, 1747 Summer St., Halifax, starting Saturday, Aug. 18.