Frozen foods and fossil finds: Plesiosaur vertebral centra derived from the Frodingham Ironstone Formation at Holme, Lincolnshire.

摘要

On occasions, fossil remains may be found close to the surface of cultivated fields due to the weathering of the underlying bedrock combined with the soil-tilling activities of crop production. Aware of this phenomenon, the author's late father, referred to in this paper as A.J.P., was always keen to explore any potentially fossiliferous locations (see Phipps, 2018 forfurther details on this topic). One such source came to his attention during his duties as the Health and Safety Officer of a major frozen food producer. In 1989, carrots were harvested from various localities in northern Lincolnshire in order to form part of the company's range of frozen vegetables and ready meals. As part of the harvesting procedure, any rock fragments or artefacts such as pieces of pottery or glass were separated from the carrot crop and deposited in a spoil heap. Whilst inspecting this facility, A.J.P. discovered the heap and subsequent investigations revealed the two specimens which are described in this paper. Consultations with the staff responsible for vegetable production led to the discovery of the field from which the carrots and their accompanying fossils had originated: a field close to Holme Hall near Bottesford, Lincolnshire (SE908070). A search of the area by A.J.P. and the author failed to produce additional specimens. It should be noted that the fossils have been through the carrotharvesting machine and, therefore, show some damage.