Ancient Life in Alabama

Since moving to Alabama nearly forty years ago, I’ve learned about its rich variety of fossils. Rock outcrops are fanned out in a relatively discernable pattern, with bands of fossils representing each geological era. The story of more than 500 million years of life is here, just under our feet. Tropical seas teemed with sharks, mosasaurs, and reef life. Coal-forming swamps ringed coastlines with huge dragonflies and millipedes, slithering amphibians, and towering horsetail plants. Dinosaurs of several types were here along with toothed birds, legged whales, rhinoceroses, mastodons, and giant sloths— the highest fossil diversity of any state east of the Mississippi River!

Uncovering the story of Alabama’s fossils took countless hours of meticulous work by dedicated scientists over the last 200 years. That work and dedication continues today in ever more sophisticated ways with wonderful discoveries by both professional and avocational paleontologists. And the story matters; it informs us about Earth’s history—with myriad life forms past and present—and how we can better understand our place in nature and our responsibility to care for it

This book took form with the participation of many people. When I suggested the concept to friends and colleagues in Alabama’s paleo community, I found enthusiastic support. More than fifty professional and amateur paleontologists responded to a survey I sent them asking about how and why they became interested in fossils, their mentors, and their most exciting discoveries. Interviews and multiple interactions followed the surveys, and a people-centered story of the state’s ancient life emerged.