Macrofossils: Their Localities in Alberta, Canada

MACROFOSSILS
Their localities in Alberta, Canada

(with notes on adjacent areas of British Columbia)
Edition 2000
Macrofossils: Their localities in Alberta
Example of a Sedimentary Basin and the fossils encountered.
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Website: http://leblanc.jacques.googlepages.com/fossilhome
Stratigraphic Section of formations in Alberta
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jacques LeBlanc graduated as a geologist in 1986 from the University of Chicoutimi in Quebec, Canada. He has
worked for various public and private entities in the mining industry in Niger (Africa) and Colombia (South America)
and in the Oil & Gas industry in Calgary (Canada), Niger (Africa), Libya (Africa), Chad (Africa) and now in Qatar
(2007 and on-going). Over the years, he has diversified his experience into Oil & Gas Data Management; the reason
that really brought him to work with Qatar Petroleum as a Senior Geologist and Data Management specialist for their
Dukhan Oil Field Division.
Fossil Hunting, on the other hand, has always been for him a passion that he wants to share as much as possible
with the public at large.
In 1992 he investigated the fossil (Ammonites) occurences on an Aboriginal Land in Canada for a private
company involved in jewelry making. A confidential report was written to that effect.
From 1993 to 1995, he investigated several fossil sites in South America for a company who provided
minerals & fossils to museum and collectors around the world. Several reports were written to that effect.
In 1996 (and update in 2000) he wrote “Macrofossils: their localities in Alberta, Canada”; a 180 page
document (downloadable from his website)
In 2000 he also wrote “A Guide to Macrofossil localities of Libya, Africa”; a 79 page document
(downloadable from his website).
In 2003 he created his own fossil website to reach as many people with the same interest.
In 2007 he wrote “A Fossil Guide to the Tertiary Localities of Qatar, Middle-East”
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
I first came to Alberta in 1984. With my background in geology and my previous experience at rockhunting in the
Eastern Provinces of Canada, it was only common sense that drove me towards fossil hunting. Over the several years
I spent gathering fossil specimens from Alberta, I also collected a fair amount of literature pertaining to fossil
localities. Therefore, I must confess that it is this wealth of information piling up on my bookshelves that forced me
at writing the present report.
I do not imply that I visited all the localities mentioned here, nor that my house looks like the Royal Tyrrell Museum
of Palaeontology (I became very selective over the years); however, I did go to many of the sites and I did stand in
ecstasy before many wonderful specimens.
Fossil hunting has a lot of rewards. It involves walking, hiking, climbing and going places you would not get to know
otherwise. These are certainly some of the reasons why some groups have formed to promote this interesting hobby.
One of them is "The Alberta Palaeontological Society". This group meets every third Friday of the month from
September to May at 7:30 P.M. in room B108 at Mount Royal College. During these meetings palaeontologists and
other guest speakers are invited to elaborate on their work (or hobby). Every summer the Society organizes three
field trips in Alberta, Saskatchewan or B.C. They also organize a one-week field trip to a foreign country. More
information on this Society can be gathered from their website at: http://www.albertapaleo.org/
The only purpose of this report is to share my joy for this hobby with all those who have the same interest. I do not
want to take credit for any of the localities, maps and figures outlined here since all of them come from various
sources given in reference.
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I am still not satisfied with my fossil collection. So far, I have not found nice enough shark teeth, dinosaur teeth,
turtle shell, and plant remains I can be proud of. Therefore it is very likely that we meet one day in the Badlands, the
Rockies or along an eroded shore of a meandering river cutting through a fossil bearing formation. In the mean time,
I wish you the best of luck in your hunting season.
How to use this report
First, decide what type of fossil you would like to go hunt for. Then, find a locality that suits you in the appropriate
section of this report. If you do not want to limit yourself to the localities mentioned in here, then again, first decide
what type of fossil you would like to go hunt for. Secondly, go see in the section "Fossils and Formations" which
formations bear the fossil type of your choice. Thirdly, using a geological map of Alberta (not included) locate where
these formations outcrop. For geological maps, we recommend "Geological Highway Map of Alberta" published by
The Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists, located in the downtown Calgary at 160, 540 - 5th avenue S.W.,
(403) 264-5610. This map will help you a lot, however, if your locality is within the foothills or The Rockies, we
recommend you use the more detailed government maps. It is also useful to use topographic maps jointly with any
geological maps.
After locating the outcropping formation(s), look for rivers, coulees, and valleys cutting through. These are the best
spots to look for fossils since the rock was recently exposed (geologically speaking). After collecting your new found
fossils, do not keep the locality for yourself; some feedback from you would be greatly appreciated.
You can get this (and others) document free of charge on my website and you can also make as many copies of it
as you wish, as long as you do not intend to sell it, or part of it, for a profit. I only require that you keep in touch
with me, through the email address posted onmy website in order to provide me with 1) information on your own
personal fossil finds and, 2) your knowledge of articles for which I may not be aware of. This information will be
useful when time comes to publish the next edition.
Enjoy yourself,
Jacques LeBlanc
Fossil Hunter
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SPECIMEN SHEET
RECORD ID: TYPE STATUS:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
KINGDOM: SUPER FAMILY:
PHYLUM: FAMILY:
SUBPHYLUM: GENUS:
CLASS: SPECIES:
SUBCLASS: SUBSPECIES:
ORDER: COMMON:
SUBORDER:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LOCALITY: LOC #:
QUARRY #: ____________________________________________________
BONE BED #: LDS MGS LAT.LONG
LOCATION REMARKS BONE BED CLASS
ALT:
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________ MAP #:
GROUP: ROCK SAMPLE #: MAP NAME:
FORMATION: THIN SECTION #:
MEMBER: ROCK TYPE: ____________________________________________________
PERIOD:
HORIZON: EPOCH:
AGE:
____________________________________________________
BIOZONE: ORIG. NO.:
____________________________________________________
ORIENT. & ASSOCIATION:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
COLLECTOR: COLLECTION DATE:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
COLLECTION REMARKS:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ELEMENT / SIZE:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SPECIMEN REMARKS:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ACQUISITION MODE: PURCHASE PRICE:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PHOTO ACCESS NO. / ILLUSTRATIONS:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PREPARATOR(S):
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PREP. DATE: CAST:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PREP. REMARKS:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PUBLICATIONS:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
GENERAL REMARKS:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
STORAGE LOC.: STORAGE STATUS
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SPECIMEN SHEET (Page 2)
Photo/Sketch
for
Record ID: ___________
Date: ____________
Taken by:_______________
Hazard
Traffic
Loose Rock
River
Cliffs
Wildlife
Other
Landowner
Crown
Provincial Park
National Park
Municipal Park
Private
Unknown
Comments
___________________
PHOTO OR SKETCH ___________________
___________________
_______________
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Trace Fossil Description Form

(Pemberton and Frey 1983)
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CONTENTS
Laws pertaining to fossils in Alberta ...................................................................................................... 9

Preservation potential ............................................................................................................................... 9
Fossils and Formations ............................................................................................................................ 11
Cambrian ................................................................................................................................................ 11
Devonian ................................................................................................................................................. 11
Mississipian .............................................................................................................................................13
Pennsylvanian-Permian ...........................................................................................................................14
Triassic .................................................................................................................................................... 14
Jurassic .................................................................................................................................................... 14
Cretaceous ...............................................................................................................................................14
Upper Cretaceous & Tertiary ................................................................................................................ 18
Tertiary ................................................................................................................................................... 18
Quaternary .............................................................................................................................................. 18
Fossil Localities ........................................................................................................................................ 19
Ammonites .............................................................................................................................................. 19
Brachiopods ............................................................................................................................................ 24
Corals ...................................................................................................................................................... 30
Dinosaur remains ................................................................................................................................... 32
Fish ......................................................................................................................................................... 35
Gastropods .............................................................................................................................................. 44
Mammals ................................................................................................................................................ 45
Quaternary mammal fossils ............................................................................................................ 45
Recent mammal fossils ................................................................................................................... 47
Pelecypods ............................................................................................................................................... 49
Plants ...................................................................................................................................................... 52
(Tetrapods) …………………………………………………………………………………….. 60
(Insects)..............................................................................................................................................62
(Fishes) …………………………………………………………………………………………. 63
Tetrapods ………………………………………………………………………………………. 63
Trilobites ................................................................................................................................................. 65
References ..................................................................................................................................................66
Suggested literature ................................................................................................................................... 72
APPENDIX A: Self-guided geological and Palaeontological walking-tour of
building stones in the downtown area of Calgary……………………………………. 75
APPENDIX B: Tour of Geological and Palaeontological displays in the Calgary Area………………. 85
APPENDIX C: Maps…………………………………………………………………………………. .88
APPENDIX D: Mountain Profiles……………………………………………………………………..114
APPENDIX E: Fossil Sketches……………………………………………………………………….. 134
APPENDIX F: Primitive life in Canada stamps………………………………………………………. 151
APPENDIX G: Miscellaneous subjects……………………………………………………………….. 152
APPENDIX H: Old News…………………………………………………………………………… 163
APPENDIX I: Wapiti Lake, British Columbia, Canada……………………………………………… 167
APPENDIX J: The Burgess Shale, British Columbia, Canada………………………………………..175
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LAWS PERTAINING TO FOSSILS IN
ALBERTA When the laws about selling fossils were created,
vendors were allowed to register their existing
Fossils in Alberta are protected under the Historic stock with the government. Most Albertan fossil
Resources Act. Under this act, a permit is shops you see are what remains of this registered
required to dig up any fossil in Alberta, so if you stock and are legal for sale. Eventually, this stock
find a bone embedded in the rock, you must leave will be depleted. Some fossils such as oyster
it. Even museum staff must have permits for the shells and ammonites have been approved for
fossils they excavate. However fossils tend to collection and sale under special permit. You will
break into pieces when they are exposed to the also notice that many of the fossils in their shops
environment. Collecting loose fossil fragments is are from other places, where laws allow the
allowed if: collection and sale of fossils (Digby, 1991).
• you are not in a national or provincial
park. For mor Information see the Royal Tyrrell
• you live in Alberta, and will not be taking the Museum’s Website at: www.tyrrellmuseum.com
fossils out of the province.
• you have land-owner's permission. PRESERVATION POTENTIAL
• you will not be selling or altering the fossils.
• you understand that these fossils belong to the Preservation of a particular organism requires a
province, and if the province wants them back, great deal of luck, and a very specific set of
you must surrender them (a rare occurrence). events. The chances of any one animal or plant
being preserved are extremely slim. It is even less
So yes, you may collect fossils that are loose on likely that you will see the animal on display in a
the ground if the above restrictions do not apply. museum. Only the very best specimens are
Collectors who find important material in place in shown, "many are picked, but few are chosen".
the rock should contact the Tyrrell Museum right Most of the following sequence is required before
away (the best person to talk to is Andy Newman you will see a specimen on display:
and can be reached from Calgary at 294-1992).
1. An animal with body parts suitable to
However, respect for the fossil resource will preservation: not a problem for vertebrates, bones
certainly limit the amount of material you take. and teeth.
For even though broken dinosaur bone fragments
do not appear to have scientific value, 2. Death of the animal, something we know will
palaeontologists depend on these rubble trails to happen.
lead them to more significant finds. In addition,
the excitement of discovering an undisturbed 3. Transport of the carcass, unmolested by
coulee with a thick scatter of dinosaur rubble is an scavengers, to a suitable environment for
unforgettable experience. With careful preservation.
stewardship, explorers who come after you will
have the same exciting experience that awaited 4. Burial of the body in the environment before it
you. is destroyed by bacteria, desiccation, solar
radiation, abrasion, etc...
5. Successful fossilization of the preservable

portions of the carcass, usually the bones and
How about stores that sell fossils? teeth, in the case of vertebrates, shell material for
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many invertebrates. This usually involves the
lithification of the enclosing sediments.
6. Uplift of the sedimentary rocks containing the

fossils, without excessive damage to the fossils.
7. Erosion of the fossiliferous rocks to expose the

fossils.
8. Exposure of the fossils within the last 100 years

in Alberta (the last 250 in Europe).
9. Discovery of the exposed fossils before they are

destroyed by erosion. This is a highly variable
amount of time, but is probably less than 30 years
in the very destructive environments of southern
Alberta.
10. Successful removal of the fossils bones from

the rock by skilled excavators.
11. Successful transport of packaged fossils to a

public institution.
12. Preparation of the fossils into a display

condition.
13. Finally, display of the specimens.
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FOSSILS AND FORMATIONS (Fox, 1953)
CAMBRIAN cracks, casts of salt crystals, and ripple marks

occur locally.
MOUNT WHYTE FORMATION FAUNA: None
FLORA: Essentially unfossiliferous, but some
TYPE LOCALITY: Mount Whyte and very poorly preserved stromatoporoids have been
southwest of Lake Louise found.
CHARACTER: Greenish, silty shales, siltstones,
and fine-grained sandstone with dark grey
limestone interbeds. FAIRHOLME FORMATION
FAUNA: Extensively fossiliferous, principally
lower and middle Cambrian Trilobites. TYPE LOCALITY: Fairholme Range, southern
end.
CHARACTER: Dull black, fine grained,
STEPHEN FORMATION (Appendix J) dolomitic limestone predominates, but toward the
top is interbedded with increasingly thicker beds
TYPE LOCALITY: Mount Stephen, near Field of coarse grained, light grey dolomite. A
in B.C (Appendix J) particularly striking feature of the dark beds is the
CHARACTER: Greenish to grey, siliceous abundance of the fossils they contain. Bulbous
shales, thin-bedded limestone, and minor stromatoporoids and fragments of branching,
calcareous siltstones; includes the Burgess Shale. structureless corals and bryozoans are the most
FAUNA: In the Burgess Shale, which is common. The stromatoporoids form reefs as
equivalent to most of the type Stephen Formation, much as 60 metres thick. Individual
one can find echinoderms, trilobites, brachiopods, stromatoporoid bulbs occur locally in such
primitive molluscs, sponges, and, of tremendous numbers as to form more than 50 per cent of the
importance, some organisms which did not have rock. They range from less than 3 cm or more in
hard parts - worms, arthropods, and algae. diameter. The stromatoporoids zones weather a
FLORA: algae rich dark brown. On fresh surfaces the cores of
the bulbs are commonly filled with white calcite,
but on weathered surfaces the calcite is absent and
DEVONIAN the rock has a deeply pitted surface, giving a false
impression of a high degree of porosity for the
GHOST RIVER FORMATION rock as a whole. The stromatoporoids and the
coral and bryozoan fragments are white and stand
TYPE LOCALITY: Ghost River canyon, north out in sharp contrast to the black, fine grained
of Lake Minnewanka rock matrix surrounding them.
CHARACTER: siltstone, varicoloured, FAUNA: Amphipora, corals (tabulate and
dolomitic and shaly, and dolomite. The formation rugose), brachiopods, bryozoan.
forms a conspicuous buff to ochre weathering FLORA: stromatoporoids (algae)
band. Intraformational conglomerates, mud
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FLUME (CAIRN) FORMATION CHARACTER: Interbedded limestones and
shales. The limestones are grey, fine-grained to
TYPE LOCALITY: Cline River and Mount dense, commonly occurring as nodules or nodular
Stelfox, David Thompson highway. beds from 25 - 150 mm thick, separated by grey-
CHARACTER: The Flume is a dark grey, dark buff shale beds 25 - 76 mm thick.
brownish grey weathering, thin to medium FAUNA: Brachiopods, corals (especially in upper
bedded, finely crystalline limestone. Dark blue- 6 m), crinoids, shell fragments.
grey chert nodules and lenses occur in places and
stand out in relief against the softer limestone. SOUTHESK FORMATION
FAUNA: Brachiopods, Amphipora, Gastropods,
Tentaculites, Lingula, Buchiola. TYPE LOCALITY: Nigel Peak (Jasper National
FLORA: Stromatoporoids Park).
CHARACTER: The Southesk Formation
includes three members: the lowest member, the
PERDRIX FORMATION Grotto, is a dark brown, fine-grained, crystalline,
fetid dolomite, 56.5 m thick. It contains abundant
TYPE LOCALITY: Nigel Peak (Jasper national corals including some large disphyllid colonies.
park). The second, the Arcs Member, is, in contrast, a
CHARACTER: The interbedded, dark grey light to medium grey, finely crystalline dolomite,
limestones and shales overlying the Flume make 19 m thick. Amphipora may be noted in some
up the Perdrix Formation. The limestones are zones. Abundant vugs are filled with coarse white
medium to dark grey, grey weathering, dolomite. The third, the Ronde Member, is 49.5
sublithographic to microcrystalline and locally m thick and is light grey dolomite weathering
argillaceous, in beds up to 0.6 m thick. They are grey-brown to buff, most of it silty or containing
separated by thin beds of calcareous, medium to silty bands up to 203 mm thick.
dark grey, fissile shale. Brachiopods are common FAUNA: corals, amphipora, brachiopods,
in some beds. The formation varies somewhat, stromatoporoids, gastropods.
lithologically, from place to place. On Roche
Miette and Roche a Perdrix, the formation is
composed of black, fissile, calcareous shale, with ALEXO FORMATION
many thin beds dense, fine grained, silty
limestone. In the gorge of Deception Creek, the TYPE LOCALITY: Saskatchewan River Gap,
formation is composed of grey, rather than black Brazeau Range.
shale, and at the confluence of the Cline and CHARACTER: Limestone, bedded and
North Saskatchewan rivers, the upper part of the brecciated; some fine sandstone; dolomite; all
formation is greenish-grey, and the lower part containing or interbedded with silt. Near
black. mountain Park and further northwest the lower
FAUNA: Brachiopods, Tentaculites. part is argillaceous or shaly and locally
fossiliferous. Near Mountain Park and Morro
Peak the base of the formation consists of a band
MOUNT HAWK FORMATION of black shale, which is underlain by a
conspicuously ochre weathering black mudstone.
TYPE LOCALITY: Nigel Peak (Jasper National FAUNA: Cyrtiopsis, Athyris, Camarotoechia (all
Park). brachiopods).
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PALLISER FORMATION BANFF FORMATION
TYPE LOCALITY: Nigel Creek (Jasper TYPE LOCALITY: Moose Mountain.

National park) and Moose Mountain - Morley. CHARACTER: The Upper Banff formation
CHARACTER: Massive-bedded, light grey exposures are argillaceous mudstones,
limestone, dolomitic limestone and dolomite. wackestones, and packstones, locally rich in
Mottling of the limestone by dolomite is notable brachiopods. The lowest beds are silty, very
and toward the base, small, lithographic, dark grey brownish weathering dolomites and dolomitic
limestone blebs are surrounded by finely limestones, with brachiopods common in places.
crystalline, brown dolomite. The remainder of the FAUNA: Extensive brachiopod fauna, conodonts.
formation is limestone, medium grey, massive- In general, the Banff Formation is not very
bedded, sublithographic to microcrystalline, rarely fossiliferous. The so-called "lower" member is
dolomitic. On Sulphur Mountain, the limestones virtually barren except for conodonts and rare,
are, in place, completely dolomitized. inarticulate brachiopods. Some beds in the
FAUNA: Extensive brachiopod fauna "middle" and "upper" members of the Banff
(Crytospirifer, Labechia, Leiorhynchus, contain reasonably numerous megafossils,
Choristites). particularly in the "eastern" facies, but
COMMENT: The cement factory, which is so continuously fossiliferous sequences are not
obvious, at Exshaw just before Canmore, mines known at any single stratigraphic section for any
the limestone from the Palliser Formation. group of megafossils. Where the Banff is
fossiliferous, brachiopods usually make up the
bulk of the megafauna both in numbers and in
MISSISSIPIAN diversity.
EXSHAW FORMATION
RUNDLE FORMATION
TYPE LOCALITY: Jura Creek, 1.6 km east of
the town of Exshaw, and 3.2 km north of the TYPE LOCALITY: North end of Mount
Calgary-Banff highway. Rundle, at Banff.
CHARACTER: Black shale, with high silica CHARACTER: Thick bedded to massive, light
content. The contact with the Palliser Formation to dark grey, coarse grained limestone alternating
is marked by a few centimetres of hard pyritic with beds of dark grey to black, fine grained
sandstone which contains bone fragments derived limestone with or without chert nodules. The
from primitive Arthrodirid fishes. The Exshaw chert nodules are more characteristically
Formation has been extended upward to include developed in the fine grained beds and are
the fossiliferous silty limestone and calcareous common in the lower part of the formation ....
siltstone, which was formerly considered basal some of the lighter coloured beds are very coarse
Banff. The age of the Exshaw Formation grained, containing many fragments of crinoid
(Devonian or Mississipian) and its sedimentary columns and brachiopods; they probably represent
origin (deep or shallow marine) are still matters of shallow water conditions of deposition.
debate. FAUNA: Sparsely fossiliferous.
FAUNA: Some bone fragments of fish, COMMENT: The rock from the Rundle
brachiopods (Spirifer, Aganides ...). Formation was used as building stone for the
Banff Spring Hotel.
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PENNSYLVANIAN- PERMIAN part is characterized by an increased thickness and
number of turbidites, many of which display
The Pennsylvanian and Permian formations in excellent sole marks (grooves,prods, scratches,
Alberta (Rocky Mountain, Kananaskis, Johnston fluted burrows and current crescents) on their
canyon and Ranger Canyon) have not yet yielded sharp bases. In the upper part, thicker beds of the
interesting macrofossils and therefore will not be hummocky, cross-stratified sandstone facies first
discussed here. However it should not stop you to appear interspersed among turbidites. They have
investigate them on your own. sharp bases with sole marks, small basal scours,
some rip-up clasts, and some evidence of vertical
settling of sand into the underlying silty beds.
TRIASSIC FAUNA: Sparse, but apparently indicative of
lower and middle Jurassic age. Burrows are
SPRAY RIVER GROUP frequent. In the ribbon Creek location (Map C42),
ammonites and belemnites can be seen.
TYPE LOCALITY: Whitehorse Creek, FLORA: Some fossilized wood.
Cadomin.
CHARACTER: The Spray River Group includes
the Sulphur Mountain and the Whitehorse KOOTENAY FORMATION
Formations. The Sulphur Mountain Formation
consists of dark grey to brown weathering TYPE LOCALITY: Grassy Mountain in
siltstone, shale, silty dolostone, and calcareous Blairmore and Mount Allan (Nakiska).
dolostone. The Whitehorse Formation consists of CHARACTER: Uppermost bed of hard cherty
a shallow water assemblage of grey, buff and conglomerate in a siliceous matrix, massive,
reddish brown weathering dolostones and moderately hard, dark coloured sandstones, thin-
limestones, quartzose sandstones, and solution bedded dark grey sandstones, grey, black, and
breccias. carbonaceous shales and a number of coal seam
FAUNA: Lower and may be middle triassic (unexposed in this area).
ammonites are found, but they are scarce and not FAUNA: None.
well preserved. FLORA: Extensive flora (Ferns, cycads,
conifers,....). (Thompson, 1953)
JURASSIC
CRETACEOUS
FERNIE FORMATION
BLAIRMORE
TYPE LOCALITY: Highway no.1, on the East
side of the bridge going over Cascade River, just TYPE LOCALITY: Ma Butte, Coleman.
before taking the Banff - Lake Minnewanka road. CHARACTER: Sandstones varying greatly in
CHARACTER: The lower part consists of colour and texture, with one thin bed of bluish-
thoroughly bioturbated siltstone containing grey limestone towards the middle of the series,
concretions interbedded with thin sandstones. which, on account of its persistent nature, serves
The sandstone beds are sharp-based with burrow as a most useful horizon marker.
casts and have rather gradational tops. They are FAUNA: Scattered gastropods and pelecypods
characterized by parallel lamination which may occur in places and rare beds of coquinas occur in
pass up into ripple cross-lamination. The middle
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the upper part. An ostracods zone may be traced WAPIABI FORMATION
across all of Alberta. (Thompson, 1953).
FLORA: The presence of dicotylendons, TYPE LOCALITY: South Branch of Burnt
Sapindopsis brevifolia, Sagenopteris mantelli, Timber Creek.
Nilsonia densinerve, Torreya dicksoniana,... CHARACTER: The lowest member, the
(Thompson, 1953). Muskiki, consists of finely interlayered shale and
siltstone, with scattered ironstone concretions, a
few bentonite seams and several pebbly beds.
BLACKSTONE FORMATION The overlying Marshybank Member has slightly
more resistant and silty beds. The Dowling
TYPE LOCALITY: Moose mountain area. Member comes next and consists of a more fissile,
(Also in south branch of Burnt Timber Creek). rusty brown weathering shale sequence, with
CHARACTER: A lower zone of rusty some fine layers and laminae of siltstone and
weathering, a sandy shale with thin beds of scattered ironstone concretions. The Thistle
sandstones; a middle zone of grey to black shale member consists of a platy, calcareous shale with
and sandy layers; and an upper zone of rusty common fine layers and laminae of siltstone.
weathering, sandy, brown to black shales; the Ironstone concretions recur above the Thistle, as
whole being about 210 - 240 metres. scattered individuals or concretionary beds in a
FAUNA: Fish scales, pelecypods and ammonites. fairly uniform sequence of mudstones referred to
(Thompson, 1951). as the Hanson Member. The Chungo Member,
above the Hanson , consists of fine grained,
argillaceous, medium to dark grey sandstones and
CARDIUM FORMATION siltstones, with minor shale and mudstone and
scattered ironstone concretions.
TYPE LOCALITY: South branch of Burnt FAUNA: Pelecypods, baculites, cephalopods and
Timber Creek. ammonites, commonly in ironstone concretions.
CHARACTER: The basal Ram Member consists These ammonites are very often called
of clean, very fine to fine grained, commonly "Scaphids". (Thompson, 1953)
laminated, light to medium grey, resistant, quartz
sandstone, with minor dark grey, argillaceous
sandstone, siltstone and shale. Another interval BRAZEAU FORMATION
consisting of dark grey shales, with some pebble
is known as the Kiska member. Above, is an TYPE LOCALITY: South branch of Burnt
argillaceous,dark grey, very fine-grained Timber Creek.
sandstone, siltstone and shale belong to the CHARACTER: Fine to medium, locally coarsed
Cardinal member. The Leyland Member consists grained, light-medium to medium grey, brown
of dark grey shale and mudstone, with common weathering, feldspathic sandstones, and rubbly
siltstone in platy layers to very thin beds. The mudstones. The sandstones are locally
uppermost Sturrock Member is a resistant crossbedded, with sole markings, load casts and
sandstone unit with some shale beds. channelling at the base of some units. Macerated
FAUNA: Cardium pauperculum is abundant and plant fragments are common, while plant stem
Scaphites ventricosus is also reported. impressions and leaves can be found in some
(Thompson, 1953). beds.
FAUNA: Some
FLORA: Plant material (leaves...).
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BELLY RIVER GROUP (Milk River, Bearpaw. The majority are Foraminifera and
Pakowki, Foremost, and Oldman Formations). molluscs; pelecypods, ammonoids, cephalopods
and gastropods. (Thompson, 1953). The upper
TYPE LOCALITY: Southern plains, no specific two-thirds of the formation is highly fossiliferous.
type section designated. Two readily distinguishable fossil zones have
CHARACTER: Dominantly composed of fine been identified. At the base of the Magrath
grained, light grey sandstones, interstratified with sandstone, the "Arctica ovata" zone is observable
a considerable amount of irregularly bedded shale. with an abundance of "Arctica ovata" and
Fine grained conglomerates are found at few "Arctica ovata alta". The second zone is
places. Coal seams occur at several horizons but comprised of calcareous concretions filled with
in most cases only locally. Conglomerates are "Baculites compressus". It is located above the
small in amount, grade into sandstones, and are Rye Grass member.
mostly a thin sprinkling of small black chert
pebbles on a sandstone. The shales are in general A broad zone, from just below the Magrath
arenaceous and darker in colour than the sandstone, to above the Kipp sandstone contains
sandstones. the best assemblages. "Placenticeras meeki", often
FAUNA: Milk River___ Baculites, Pelecypods, having a diameter of greater than 50 centimetres is
Gastropods, Fish, Reptiles. Pakowki___ common in this interval. They are often found in
Baculites, Brachiopods, Pelecypods, Gastropods, large calcareous concretions. Other ammonoids
Scaphopods, Cephalopods. Foremost___ such as "Baculites compressus" and "Placenticeras
Pelecypods, Gastropods. Oldman___ Fresh and intercalare" occur, but are not as prolific as
brackish water invertebrates (Pelecypods, "Placenticeras meeki". Zonation within the
Gastropods). In general, in the Belly River Bearpaw is not practical as most species tend to
Group we can encounter Unios (fresh water have a broad range. Also present are the
shells), Ostrea, Corbula (brackish water shells), pelecypods "Protocardia borealis" and
fresh water gastropods, Fish, amphibians, "Protocardia subquadrata", "Liopistha undata",
dinosaurs, mammals. (Thompson, 1953). "Pteria linguiformis", and "Corbicula
FLORA: Plant fragments, pieces of coal, cytheriformis".
fossilized wood.
Some perforations found on the Placenticeras
meeki have been identified as being teeth
BEARPAW FORMATION impressions from a member of a large marine
reptile family, the "mosasaurs". These were
TYPE LOCALITY: Drumheller. literally sea-lizards as they were specialized
CHARACTER: The Bearpaw formation members of the diapsid reptiles. They appeared in
consists of grey, thin, bedded to fissile marine the early Cretaceous, sharing the seas with the
shales interbedded (in part) with several plesiosaurs until their extinction at the end of the
distinguishable coarse grained sandstones which Cretaceous. The mosasaurs were sizeable, up to 9
weather reddish brown. Thickness of the metres in length and attained the bulk of many
Bearpaw formation ranges from less than 30.5 m dinosaurs. They had large, well spaced, conical
near the Rocky Mountains foothills to as much as teeth used for feeding on hard-shelled molluscs.
365.8 m in southeastern Alberta and Irregular, deep scours have been found on some
Saskatchewan. ammonites suggesting fierce struggles. (Ward,
FAUNA: A total of 54 species of marine 1982)
invertebrates have been described from the
16
COMMENT: A second unique feature of EDMONTON GROUP (Horseshoe Canyon,
"Placenticeras meeki", is in the preservation of the Whitemud and Battle Formations)
nacreous shell.
TYPE LOCALITY: East Coulee, Willow Creek
"Korite" is the latest of three names which have and Horseshoe Canyon, all close to Drumheller.
been given to the iridescent shell ammonites CHARACTER: Soft whitish sandstones and
found in southern Alberta. This type of fossil white or grey, often arenaceous clays, with bands
shell on matrix was first advertised as and nodules of clay ironstone and numerous
"Ammolite" in 1969 as a lapidary material, seams of lignite. The top of the formation is
although ammonites have been known from marked by an extensive coal deposit. Most of the
Alberta since the beginning of the century. beds are soft and weather into typical badlands
"Calcentine" was sold during Calgary's forms. There are thin ,pure beds of bentonite and
Centennial year, 1975, as quartz-topped many of the sands contain an admixture of fine
composite cabochons mounted in gold jewellery. colloidal clay which renders them very greasy and
Now we have "Korite" from Korite Limited, of slippery when wet.
Calgary, Alberta. Their original rough material FAUNA: Extensive vertebrate and invertebrate
was obtained from Kormos farm on the St. Mary fauna (Pelecypods, Gastropods, Bryozoan, Fish,
River, south of Lethbridge. They now hold claims Mammals, Reptiles). (Allan, 1945)
on several other farms as well (Wight, 1981). FLORA: Extensive flora. (Allan, 1945).
Ammonoid shells consist predominantly of

aragonite and proteinaceous organic matrix BLOOD RESERVE FORMATION (correlative
(conchiolin) arranged into three layers: a thin to basal sandstone of Edmonton Group)
outer prismatic layer, a nacreous layer, and an
inner lining of prismatic habit (Wight, 1981). TYPE LOCALITY: St. Mary River (6-23w4)
CHARACTER: Massive, rather medium grained
The gem material is actually the nacreous layer of sandstone, light grey in colour. It commonly
the ammonite shell. It presents a brilliant weathers to a buff, yellow, or greenish tinge. The
iridescence, predominantly red and green, but cement is in places calcareous, in others
some pieces show all the spectral colours. Most argillaceous. Crossbedding and irregular
pieces show a red and orange iridescence when concretions are developed, and the sandstone
the incident white light is perpendicular to the varies from hard to rather soft.
shell surface, and green when it is almost parallel. FAUNA: Sparse pelecypod, Gastropods and
Blue and purple are rarely seen. Cephalopod fauna. (Thompson, 1953).
The composition of the iridescent nacreous shell ST. MARY RIVER FORMATION (correlative
layer is chiefly calcium carbonate in the form of to the middle and part of the Edmonton Group)
aragonite. The crack-filling material of the fossil
shell is also aragonite, but it fluoresces differently TYPE LOCALITY: St. Mary River valley, west
under ultraviolet light (Wight, 1981). of Magrath.
CHARACTER: Rapid alternations of sandstones
The specific gravity of gem "Korite" is between and shaly or clayey beds, the stratifications, as a
2.67 and 2.85 (Wight, 1981). rule, being regular. Greyish or greenish or bluish-
grey tints characterize the beds, though some of
the sandstones weather to yellowish colours and
17
ironstone nodules are of frequent occurrence. At CHARACTER: Massive and often current-
the base, these rocks show estuarine and marine bedded sandstones, with occasional shaly layers.
conditions and yellowish colours prevail. This formation is the youngest bedrock unit
FAUNA: Fresh and brackish water molluscs present, overlain by much more recent
(Pelecypods, Gastropods, rare reptile bones, worm unconsolidated deposits from the last glaciation.
trails, Ostrea and Corbula). (Thompson, 1953). However, gravels are present on Nose Hill and
Broadcast Hill that could, in part, be of tertiary
age. The best exposure of these poorly
understood deposits were found in gravel pits on
UPPER CRETACEOUS AND TERTIARY the east end of Nose Hill.
(Palaeocene) FAUNA: The Porcupine Hill Formation is a
sandstone that has yielded a diverse fossil
WILLOW CREEK FORMATION assemblage including pelecypods (clams),
gastropods (snails), fishes, turtles, crocodiles,
TYPE LOCALITY: Porcupine Hills champsosaurs (crocodile-like aquatic reptiles),
CHARACTER: A series of reddish and purplish lizards, and early mammals. Most of the
clay beds with grey and yellow sandstones. vertebrate material is fragmentary, and widely
FAUNA: Freshwater gastropods, pelecypods and scattered (Wilson, 1987).
fish-scales are common. (Thompson, 1951). FLORA: Numerous leaf impressions.
FLORA: Palaeocene plant remains are found in
the upper part.
QUATERNARY (Pleistocene)
TERTIARY (Palaeocene) BIG HILL FORMATION
PASKAPOO FORMATION TYPE LOCALITY: Cochrane to Calgary.

CHARACTER: A Late pleistocene gravel
TYPE LOCALITY: On the west side of Calgary, deposit some 20 m or more thick extends along
along the Bow River on the south shore of the the Bow valley from west of Cochrane to areas
Bearspaw reservoir. Also at Edworthy Park well downstream from Calgary, and has been
(Calgary), Glenmore reservoir (Calgary), and named the Bighill Creek Formation. Several
Beddington Creek (5 km north of Calgary). radiocarbon dates place it during the period from
CHARACTER: Grey and greenish grey about 11,500 to 10,000 years ago.
sandstones and interbedded yellow, red, brown FAUNA: The Bighill Formation has yielded a
and dark grey clays and shales. The beds are diverse fauna of large hoofed mammals. Gravel
lenticular in nature. pits near Cochrane have yielded bones of a wild
FAUNA: Freshwater molluscs (Unio clams), ass, caribou, mountain sheep, and a large extinct
water and terrestrial gastropods, mammals bison. Pits of equivalent age in Calgary and
(buffalo bones...), crocodile teeth... downstream have yielded ass and bison bones as
FLORA: Plants (especially Laurel leaf imprints). well as bones of mammoth and camel. Human
colonization of the area by this time is
demonstrated by early artifact styles and
PORCUPINE HILLS FORMATION radiocarbon dates for an occupation site near
Banff in excess of 10,000 years (Wilson, 1987)
TYPE LOCALITY: Porcupine Hills
18
FOSSIL LOCALITIES
AMMONITES (Figure E3)
Jurassic ammonites (Frebold, 1963)
Arnioceras - Lower Sinemurian stage, West slope of Cascade Mountain, Banff Park.
Peronoceras subarmatum - Fernie group, Toarcian stage, Upper Red Deer River.
Peronoceras subarmatum - Fernie group, Toarcian stage, Opposite George Creek Valley.
Harpoceras exaratum - Fernie group, Toarcian stage, Canyon Creek, Moose Mountain area.
Sonninia gracilis - Fernie Group, Middle Bajocian stage, 4.8 km north of devils Point, Lake
Minnewanka.
Stemmatoceras palliseri - Fernie Group, Rock Creek Member, Middle Bajocian stage, Upper
Whitehorse River, Mountain Park area.
Chondroceras allani - Fernie group, Rock Creek Member, Middle Bajocian, Ribbon Creek on highway
40 (Map C42), Kananaskis Park.
Teloceras dowlingi - Fernie Group, Rock Creek Member, Middle Bajocian stage, Kananaskis River.
Chondroceras marshalli - Fernie Group, Rock Creek Member, Middle Bajocian, Ribbon Creek on
highway 40 (Map C42), Kananaskis Park.
Oppelia - Fenie group, bathonian stage, Headwaters of Smoky River, On Sulphur River.
Paracephalites hashimotoi - Fernie Group, Upper Corbula munda beds, Upper Bathonian or lower
Callovian, Grassy Mountain, near Blairmore.
Paracephalites glabrescens - Fernie Group, upper part of Corbula munda beds, Upper Bathonian or
lower Callovian, Grassy Mountain, near Blairmore.
Paracephalites metastatus - Fernie group, grey beds, Upper Bathonian or lower Callovian, Cairn Pass.
19
Warrenoceras henryi - Fernie Group, Gryphaea bed, Lower Callovian stage, Grassy Mountain, north
of Blairmore, also found in Cairn Pass and Ram Pass in Rock lake area.
Warrenoceras rierdonense - Fernie Group, grey beds, Lower Callovian, Cairn Pass.
Warrenoceras imlayi - Fernie Group, grey beds, Lower callovian stage, Rock Lake area and also in
Grypaea bed on grassy Mountain, north of Blairmore.
Warrenoceras crassicostatum - Fernie Group, grey beds, Lower Callovian, Cairn Pass.
Warrenoceras loveanum - Fernie Group, grey beds, Lower Callovian, Cairn Pass.
Torricellites spinosum - Fernie group, grey beds, lower Callovian stage, Cairn Pass.
Torricellites spinosum - Fernie group, grey beds, lower Callovian stage, Cairn Pass.
Gobbanites engleri - Fernie Group, Gryphaea bed , Lower Callovian stage, Grassy Mountain, north of
Blairmore.
Kepplerites - Fernie Group, Gryphaea bed, Lower Callovian, Adanac strip mine road, Carbondale area.
Kepplerites mcevoyi - Fernie Group, Lower Callovian, Ribbon Creek on highway 40 (Map C42) in
Kananaskis Park.
Imlayoceras miettense - Fernie Group, Upper Grey beds, zone with large concretions, Lower Callovian,
Rocky River, Miette area. Also north end of De Smet Range.
Kepplerites tychonis - Fernie Group, 6 metres above Gryphaea bed, Lower Callovian, Grassy
Mountain, north of Blairmore.
Undetermined genus and species - Fernie Group, 6 metres above Gryphaea bed, Lower Callovian,
Grassy Mountain, north of Blairmore.
Cardioceras mountjoyi - Fernie Group, Green beds, Oxfordian stage, Miette area, Rocky River.
Cardioceras (Scarburgiceras) alphacordatum - Fernie Group, Green beds, Oxfordian stage, Miette
area, Rocky River.
Cardioceras - Fernie Group, Oxfordian stage, Cuthead Creek, Banff Park.
Goliathiceras crassum - Fernie Group, Green beds, Oxfordian stage, Miettearea, Rocky River.
20
Cretaceous ammonites
- About 90 and 150 metres above base of Bearpaw Formation, 30-5-4w4.
- Berry Creek 11-27-12w4 and 20-29-11w4 (Map C37)
- S/W 1/4, 20-21-11w4.
- Medicine Lodge Coulee, SE 1/4, 7-8-3w4.
- Travers reservoir, near Vulcan, at opposite end of lake from Little Bow Park.
- Near base of Blood River sandstone, Pothole Creek, SW 1/4, 34-2-22w4.
- North Side of Milk River, near Groton, 3-10w4.
- "Foxhill sst.", 33-1-22w4.
- Upper beds of Pale Beds, Lost River, 1-4-w4, 3.2 km north of 49th Parallel, Silver Smoliak.
AMMONITES BY LOCALITIES
Locality 1: Map C2. Turn south from Highway No. 3 on Lee's Lake turnoff, drive past the lake to a steel
bridge crossing Castle River. Walk just upstream along cliffs. Large clam (Inoceramus) occur in black
shale. Just above them are some small ammonites called Prionotropis. Small black chert pebbles also
occur here. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 2: Map C7. Turn south from highway 11 at Alexo turnoff (Alexo and Saunders are now
vanishing ghost towns from coal mining days), go to Saunders station down the hill to the southwest.
Drive about 13.5 km to Dutch Creek. A number of Jurassic fossils are found in the banks, including
Trigonia, Pleuromya, Homomya, Cyprina, Cardioceras and cigar-shaped belemnites. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 3: Map C7. 4.8 km east of Nordegg (Highway 11), a number of Jurassic fossils occur in the
banks of a small branch of shunda Creek, right beside the highway. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 4: Map C15. Turn south from Wanham on Highway 733 to the crossroads leading to Peoria,
but continue south about 1.6 kms to Kakut Creek. For about 3.2 kms downstream from this point, you
may collect in the stream bed and banks any amount of fine penshells, ammonites, Inoceramus, baculites
and Desmoscaphites (Nielsen, 1977 and Lacasse et al.1978). It is not uncommon to find fossil shells up
to 20-30 pounds in excellent condition of the Inoceramus Clan (Currie, ????).
Locality 5: Map C15. About 4.8 km downstream from locality 4, the same fossils can be found, plus
shark teeth. This site may require walking for some distance. (Nielsen, 1977)
21
Locality 6: Map C16. Several large ammonites, Watinoceras and Scaphites, occur in outcrops on the
south bank of the smoky River, about 4 km from highway 49. Turn south on the first road west of the
highway bridge. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 7: No map. Fossil ammonites are abundant in the creek valleys of the Coronation area.
Locality 8: No map. Fossil ammonites are common in the major coulees about 32 and 50 km south of
Elkwater, along Highway 48. Many more are present in these same areas but along side roads.
Locality 9: Map C43. Ammonites (scaphites), brachiopods and pelecypods occur within many of the
ironstone nodules of the black shale slopes just upstream of the Ram River falls along the Forestry Trunk
Road. Each spring a new crop weathers out. The first hunters get the best specimen.
Locality 10: Map C21. Adanac Mine/Carbondale River. Jurassic and Cretaceous localities. Numerous
excellent exposures can be found along the river and in the mine. This area is a classic Foothills locality,
and the stratigraphy and sedimentology of several units can be observed. The structural geology of the
area is also well exposed. The most common fossils are bivalves, ammonites and belemnites. There are
also well preserved logs in the mine. (Alberta Palaeontological Society field trip, June 1991)
Locality 11: Map C29. Bassano is located at one hour and a half drive east of Calgary. Start from the
railroad on the south side of the town: 0.4 km. and turn left, 4.5 km to the bridge, 5 km until the road
makes a sharp 90 degree turn to the left, open the gate that is in front of you, 2 km on this private road.
Park your car. Walk 20 minutes west until you reach the river. The Bow River cuts the Bearpaw
Formation. THE GUSHER found in 1985 a 50 pound Placenticeras meeki at this location. Later on, he
found another one but due to weathering, it fell apart immediately. Belemnites and pelecypods are also
very common in the river bed. (THE GUSHER, 1991)
Locality 12: Map C32. Open mine at Seebe cutting through the Upper Cretaceous Wapiaby Formation
on the west side of the road between highway 1 and highway 1A. Scaphite molds can be found in the
black shale. THE GUSHER was told the mine recently closed. The last time we went to this locality
(early May 1991), no fossil could be found due to the extreme grinding of the rock which was caused by
the heavy machineries working in the mine prior to its closing.
Locality 13: Map C31. Locations marked with an X (in the Bearpaw formation) are excellent for
ammonites, baculites and clams. Drive to Magrath, 40 kms south of Lethbridge. Turn west after the
Shell station south of town, and reach the St. Mary River. Many samples are in excellent condition still
in location in the riverbank. All along the river from the irrigation dam downstream to past lethbridge,
there are locations of fossils, not every one of them is easily accessible.
Locality 14: Map C37. East of Hanna, take Highway 36. Fourty kilometres south, turn east on road
#570 and go to the Carrolside dam on Berry Creek. When the water is low, from early august to late
september, look along the water's edge. Ammonites, Baculites and clams occur here.
Locality 15: Map C41. East and Southeast of Manyberries is an extensive badlands exposure of the
Upper Cretaceous Bearpaw Formation which extends well into Saskatchewan. From Manyberries,
22
proceed East and then 4 kms South. Turn East on a field road that goes along the creek shown on Map
41. You can start collecting along the creek about half a kilometre upstream from the main road, or keep
going for about 17 kms on this field road (not shown on map). While driving this road, you will pass by
a lot of Oil/Gas wells, go down a valley and up again. Leave your car immediately after you you back up
the valley and start looking for fossils (on an accurate map, this locality is 19.5 kms East North-East from
Manyberries. All along this creek and the southern creek shown on the map, you will find Ammonites,
Pelecypods, Scaphopods, Shark teeth, Shrimp (rare), Crayfish (rare) and dinosaur (mosasaur) bones.
Locality 16: Map C42. Walk through old slate quarry on path along Ribbon Creek. The site is about
400 metres past slate quarry where creek makes a sharp turn to the north. There you can find Jurassic
ammonites, clams and belemnites. You are within a park, therefore, you can not remove the fossils.
23
BRACHIOPODS (Figure E5)
Ordovician brachiopods (Norford, 1962)
Dinorthis rockymontana - Beaverfoot - Brisco Formation. 5 to 12 metres above base. Cirrus

mountain, Banff Park.
Thaerodonta saxea - Beaverfoot - Brisco Formation, 5 to 12 metres above base, Cirrus Mountain, Banff
park.
Dinorthis columbia - Beaverfoot - Brisco Formation, 5 to 12 metres above base, Cirrus Mountain,
Banff park.
Rhynchotrema windermeris - from lower beds of Beaverfoot - Brisco formation, Mount Coleman,
Banff Park.
Petroria rugosa - Beaverfoot - Brisco formation, 5 to 12 metres above base, Cirrus Mountain, Banff
park.
Palaeophyllum - Beaverfoot - Brisco Formation, 5 to 12 metres above base, Cirrus Mountain, Banff
Park.
Upper Silurian and Lower Devonian brachiopods (Norford, 1962 and McLaren et al, 1962)
Tentaculites - Numerous specimens embedded in limestone matrix. La Butte Formation of the Elk Point
Group, 2 metres above base of the Formation, west bank of Slave river close to mouth of Murdock Creek,
opposite La Butte.
Ladogioides pax - Peace Point member of the Waterways Formation, near base of green shale overlying
the Slave point Formation, Gypsum Cliffs, north bank of Peace river, opposite mid-point of island just
below Boyer Rapids.
Leiorhynchus - Peace point member of the Waterways Formation, Gypsum Cliffs, north bank of Peace
river, 1.8 km east-northeast of the east end of the island just below Boyer Rapids.
Eleutherokomma impennis - Peace Point member of the waterways Formation, Gypsum Cliffs, north
bank of Peace River, 8 km east of the east end of the island just below Boyer Rapids.
Cyrtina billingsi - Firebag member of the Waterways Formation, east bank of the Athabaska River at km
101.6 about 4 metres above river level.
24
Pugnoides - Calumet member of the Waterways Formation, west bank of the Athabaska River at km 91.5
about 1.5 metres above river level.
Spinocyrtia euryteines - Calumet member of the Waterways Formation, north bank of Clearwater River
11.8 km (air distance) above junction with Christina River.
Stropheodonta - Moberly Member of the Waterways Formation, east Bank of Athabaska River at km
43, northeastern Alberta.
Athyris vittata randalia - Moberly member of the Waterways Formation, west bank of Athabaska River
opposite Tar island and km 35.6, northeastern Alberta.
Allanaria allani - Moberly member of the Waterways Formation, north bank of the Athabaska River
opposite Moberly Rapids.
Eleutherokomma hamiltoni - Moberly member of the Waterways Formation, west bank of the
Athabaska River about km 57.5, just above river level.
Upper Devonian brachiopods (McLaren et al, 1962)
Ladogioides kakwaensis - Cairn formation, 14 to 20 metres above base, southeast end of Ancient Wall,
Jasper Park. (The genus Ladogioides is a zone fossil for the base of the Upper devonian).
Calvinaria variabilis athabascensis - Maligne Formation, upper few metres, near highway, Morro Peak,
Jasper Park. (The subspecies is a zone fossil for rocks of equivalent age over much of western Canada).
Atrypa multicostellata - Maligne Formation, 10 metres below top, Morro Peak, Jasper Park.
Allanaria allani - Flume Formation, lowest beds, ridge between Beaver and Medicine Lakes, Jasper
Park.
Allanaria minutilla - Maligne Formation, east of Esplanade Mountain, Jasper Park.
Emanuella - Maligne Formation, highest bed, ridge between Beaver and Medicine Lakes, Jasper Park.
(This genus is rare in Upper devonian rocks).
Athyris - Cairn Formation, 35 metres above base, southeast end of Ancient Wall, Jasper Park.
Grunewaldtia americana - Argillaceous limestone member, Mount Hawk Formation, northeast

shoulder of Roche Miette, Jasper Park.
Cyrtospirifer - Argillaceous limestone member, Mount Hawk Formation, Job Creek, eastern fault block.
25
Indospirifer orestes - Grey calcareous mudstone and limestone member, Mount Hawk Formation, Job
Creek, eastern fault block.
Tenticospirifer cyrtinaformis - Lower part of Mount Hawk Formation, south branch of north fork of
Hummingbird Creek.
Thomasaria rockymontana - Argillaceous limestone member, Mount Hawk Formation, North

Saskatchewan River Gap, north side, Brazeau Range.
Cyrtina inulta - Mount Hawk Formation, 55 metres above base, North ram River Gap, north side, Front
Range.
Leiorhynchus carya - Perdrix Formation, 55 metres above base of outcrop section, Winnifred Pass.
Calvinaria variabilis insculpta - Perdrix Formation, 8 metres above base of outcrop section, Winnifred
Pass.
Eleutherokomma reidfordi - Perdrix Formation, 30 metres above base of outcrop section, North
Saskatchewan River Gap, north side, Brazeau Range.
Warrenella nevadensis - Perdrix Formation, 55 metres above base of outcrop section, Winnifred Pass.
Schizophoria - Mount Hawk Formation, 55 metres above base, North Ram River Gap, north side, Front
Range.
Douvillinaria - Mount Hawk Formation, 55 metres above base, North Ram River Gap, north side, Front
Range.
Productella - Grey calcareous mudstone and limestone member, Mount Hawk Formation, Job Creek,
eastern fault block.
Devonoproductus vulgaris - Grey calcareous mudstone and limestone member, Mount Hawk
Formation, Job Creek, eastern fault block.
Hypothyridina - Mount Hawk Formation, about 190 metres above base, Winnifred Pass. H. emmonsi
about 50 metres above base. The genus Hypothyridina ranges from latest Middle devonian throughout
the early Upper devonian, in Western Canada.
Calvinaria albertensis albertensis - Argillaceous limestone member of Mount Hawk Formation, about
190 metres above base, northeast flank of Roche Miette, Jasper Park. This subspecies is a zone fossil for
rocks of equivalent age over much of the Alberta Sedimentary basin.
Atrypa - Mount Hawk Formation, 62 metres above base of exposed section, south end of Idlewilde
Mountain, Clearwater River.
26
Atrypa - Southesk Formation, grey mudstone and limestone member, headwaters of Job Creek.
Atrypa - Mount Hawk Formation, upper 12 metres, north side of road, Shunda Creek Gap, near
Nordegg. The genus Atrypa does not occur in Western Canada higher than the early Upper Devonian.
Paurorhyncha utahensis - Upper 5 metres of the Costigan Member of the Palliser Formation, Mount
Coleman, Banff Park.
Nudirostra seversoni - Palliser Formation, 68 metres down, Mount Coleman, Banff Park.
Cyrtiopsis normandvillana - Palliser Formation, 147 metres below top, Winnifred pass. The genus
Cyrtiopsis is confined to the late upper Devonian.
Athyris - Palliser Formation, 150 metres below top, Winnifred Pass.
Camarotoechia banffensis - Upper part of Palliser Formation, Lower Maligne Canyon, Jasper Park.
Sinotectiractrum medicinale - Alexo formation, member B, Proposal Mountain, south end of Medicine
Lake, Jasper Park.
Productella - Alexo Formation, top of member B, ridge between Beaver and Medicine Lakes, Jasper
Park.
Cyrtiopsis prepta - Alexo Formation, upper part of member A, ridge between Beaver and Medicine
Lakes, Jasper park.
Leiorhynchus walcotti - Lowest beds of Alexo Formation, near top of Prospect Mountain, near
Mountain Peak.
Gypidula cornuta - Mount Hawk Formation, 180 metres above base, Winnifred Pass.
Schuchertella prava - Grey mudstone and limestone member of Southesk formation, headwaters of Job
Creek.
27
BRACHIOPODS BY LOCALITIES
See Map C24 for a general view of brachiopod fossil localities from the Banff formation. (Carter, 1987)
Locality 1: Map C3. Go west on highwood forestry road from Longview about 32 km to the narrow gap
just 0.8 km east of the ranger station. Spirifer brachiopods occur in limestone in the cliff some distance
above the road, along with irregular chert nodules. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 2: Map C4. Turn east off Highway 36, 18.5 km to Pollockville, go 8 km north, then 4 km west
to a creek. Various brachiopod fossils are found in the banks. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 3: Map C4. About 32 km north of the red deer River bridge on highway 36, turn 3.2 km west to
Bullpound Creek. Various Cretaceous brachiopods are found in the banks of the creek. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 4: Map C6. Turn North off Highway 14 at the Edgerton turnoff, 29 km east of Wainwright.
Travel 16 km north to the Battle river. Brachiopods are found in outcrops along the banks. (Nielsen,
1977)
Locality 5: No map. The vertical shale and sandstone cliffs just beside the Highway northeast of
Dunvegan Bridge contain abundant oysters and some brachiopods. They are very fragile, however, and
must be handled carefully.
Locality 6: No map. Turn east off the Mackenzie Highway at Enterprise Creek, N.W.T. and park beside
the road. Follow the creek down to its junction with Hay River. In this area, you will find an amazing
variety of corals, crinoids, brachiopods, etc...
Locality 7: Map C23. Moose Mountain area. The fossils encountered on this hike are of Mississipian
age and in the Banff and Rundle formations. Take Highway 66 to Canyon Creek and turn right (north)
just after you cross the creek. The turnoff is approximately 5 - 6 km past Paddy's Flat campground.
Although there is a warning sign about winter travel the road is well maintained year round as it is used
by Shell to access their facilities at Moose Mountain. Follow the road to the parking lot. Just as you
come to the parking lot you will see to your right (north) a gravel road heading along the east side of the
mountain. There is a gate across the road which is not opened to the public. Walk up this gravel road
approximately 15 minutes. You will see a grassy area leading, steeply, up a little (12 metres) hill (some
wires cross the road above your head at this point). It looks like it was a road at one time. Go up the
grassy road and then go straight up the hill. There is no trail but the trees are widely spaced and the going
is not tough. About 1/3 of the way up the mountain begin looking closely at the float (rock chute) and
anywhere where there is finer (3 - 6 mm) gravels. You will find well preserved blastoid (Figure E6)
heads and brachiopods. The brachiopods are mainly rhynchonellids and atrypids which have weathered
out fully. There are some small horn corals. Farther up the slope you may find some very well preserved
crinoids (Figure E6). A hammer is not necessary. Actually, all the rock chutes in this valley are of fossil
potential since the main formations are Banff and Rundle. (Map and text are a courtesy of Lisa Freeman,
Geologist for Alberta & Southern Gas Co. Ltd.)
28
Locality 8: Maps C23, C25. Nihahi Ridge area. The fossils encountered on this hike are of Mississipian
age and in the Banff and Rundle formations. Take Highway 66 to Little Elbow Campground. You will
have to park in their day parking area or just outside the campground entrance. It's preferable to park
inside as it is a long walk to the trail head from the entrance. Walk west along the main campground road
to the end of the camping area. Go through 2 gates and continue west along the dirt road for
approximately 1/10 km where a trail can be seen to your right. Watch for a trail sign at the beginning of
the dirt road. The Nihahi Ridge trail is popular and well marked. Follow the ridge trail until you are at *
(look at the map). Here look for sharks teeth. They are small (few mm) but unmistakeably as they are a
phosphatic, shiny, dark grey blue. Crinoids and bryozoans (Figure E5) can be seen on most bedding
planes. Keep going on the trail, up through the tree to ¥. This is open ridge above the trees. You may be
lucky and find some well preserved crinoids (brachioles have been found up here). Continue along the
trail at the base of the cliff until you come to a break in the cliff. Scramble up a little rock face (5 - 6
metres) and you are on a scree slope. This is laced with crinoids, well preserved bryozoans,
syringoporoid corals and some brachiopods. Continue up to the base of 2 metre "cliffs". Check the base
of these for productid brachiopods (in black shale) and watch for spiriferids which have weathered out of
the limestones. Note: you are not in a provincial or national park. (Map and text are a courtesy of Lisa
Freeman, Geologist for Alberta & Southern Gas Co. Ltd.)
29
CORALS (Figure E1)
Ordovician corals (Norford, 1962)
Catenipora robustus - Beaverfoot - Brisco Formation,5 to 12 metres above base, Cirrus Mountain,
Banff Park.
Streptelasma prolongatum - Beaverfoot - Brisco Formation, 5 to 12 metres above base, Cirrus

Mountain, Banff Park.
Devonian corals (McLaren et al, 1962)
Ptychophyllum kindlei - Southesk Formation, 150 metres below top, Bosche Range, 1.6 km south of
Moosehorn Lakes.
Syringopora - Southesk Formation, 30 metres below top, southeast side of mountain, 3.2 km northwest
of Mount Kephala, Boule range. (Syringopora is a widespread marker for the upper part of the Southesk
Formation in the Jasper Region.
Phillipsastraea nevadensis - Argillaceous Limestone Member, Mount Hawk Formation, Job Creek,
eastern fault Block.
Phillipsastraea woodmani - From 250 metres above base of outcrop section, Mount Hawk Formation,
Winnifred Pass.
Acinophyllum camselli - Mount Hawk Formation, 62 metres above base, North Ram River Gap, north
side, Front Range.
Coenites Thamnopora - Mount Hawk Formation, 50 metres above base, North Ram River gap, north
side, Front Range.
Amphipora - Southesk Formation, 180 metres below top, south end of the Ancient Wall, Jasper National
Park. (Amphipora is widespread in Middle and Upper Devonian limestones throughout Western
Canada).
Phillipsastraea exigua - widespread in the Kakisa Formation, and occurs high in the Southesk formation.
Thamnophyllum tructense - The species is widespread in the middle and Upper parts of the Mount
Hawk and Southesk Formation.
30
Phillipsastraea cincta - Mount Hawk Formation, 17 metres down from top, northeastern spur of
Cardinal Mountain.
CORALS BY LOCALITIES
Locality 1: No map. Turn east off the Mackenzie Highway at Enterprise Creek, N.W.T. and park beside
the road. Follow the creek down to its junction with Hay River. In this area, you will find an amazing
variety of corals, crinoids, brachiopods, etc...
Locality 2: Map C34 & C35. Jura Creek. Park along side road to Lime Plant. Walk 600m up the flat
alluvial fan which begins at a small canyon. With a few exceptions, Mississipian outcrops occur on the
west (left hand) side of Jura Creek valley, and Devonian rocks are seen on the opposite side. Beginning
from the small canyon, in the Palliser limestone, walk 1550 double paces (one dp = 5 feet or 1.5m). At
this location, the Exshaw black shale (Devonian-Mississipian) overlies the Costigan Member of the
Palliser Formation. The bedded Palliser limestone is cherty and fossiliferous with brachiopods,
nautiloids, and the coral Chaetetes. 600 double paces further, the base of the Palliser Formation, which is
a brown-grey dolomitic limestone, contains abundant recrystallized bryozoa. (De Wit, 1988).
Locality 3: Map C44. Marine life such as corals (very abundant), foraminifera, sponges and brachiopods
can be found in the limestone quarry closed to the campground and picnic area north of Crowsnest Lake
in the Crowsnest Pass. There is a sign on Highway 3 directing to the picnic area North of the highway.
Locality 4: Profile D7. Travelling south on 8th Avenue in Canmore, cross the Bow River and take the
Spray Lakes road past the Nordic Centre. Park your cat at the Grassi Lake Trail parking lot and walk up
the trail (1.5 km) to Grassi Lake (you can not imagine how beautiful and colourful this pond is when you
go there during a sunny summer day). There are spectacular exposures of stromatoporoid bioherms and
banks within the Cairn Formation to be seen as well as corals (Tabulate & Rugose), ichnofossil,
brachiopods, gastropod, and crinoid ossicles (GAC, 1991).
31
DINOSAUR REMAINS (Figures E14 & E15)
Material includes bones and teeth, occasionally skulls with many elements associated, and (rarely)
complete skeletons or major portions of a skeleton. Isolated bones usually include disarticulated skull
elements, longbones or vertebrae, scutes or carapace fragments (turtles), and isolated shed teeth in groups
that replace teeth (crocodilians). Egg-shell fragments, gizzard stones (gastroliths), burrows or nests, tooth
marks, or footprints record past reptilian activity. Reptilian remains may occur in aggregations deposited
in eddies of small streams and in assemblages of articulated or partially articulated elements from winter
hibernacula, usually cavities in coarse rubble or fractured bedrock.
You can find dinosaur bones in the Badlands, all along the Red Deer River.
Sternberg (1947) describes some good localities, especially around 16-33-22w4, 24-34-22w4 and 30-34-
21w4. Fragmented Triceratop bones are "very common", and Tyranosaurus bones are also found.
DINOSAUR REMAINS BY LOCALITIES
Locality 1: Map C14. 6.4 km beyond Fort Assiniboine, turn west off Highway 13, cross Freeman River,
and drive 7.2 km west and south then 2.4 km south. Then walk 500 m east to the river bank. A thin bed
of cretaceous vertebrate bones (probably dinosaurs) occurs there in an ironstone band. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 2: Map C14. Outcrops on the north side of the Athabaska River at Whitecourt, and a short
distance east, have yielded vertebrate bones (probably dinosaur). These were collected some years ago,
but it may still be possible to find some. Drive about 2.4 km north of the second bridge, take the trail to
the right, back along the river for about 3.8 km. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 3: No map. In the Medicine Hat area, dinosaur bones are abundant in many outcrop areas, such
as along the river south of Redcliff.
Locality 4: Map C18. The vicinity of Onefour has badlands areas containing dinosaur bones. (Nielsen
1977)
Locality 5: Map C17. Deadhorse Coulee, about 4 km east and 6.4 km south of Lucky Strike post office,
or 38.4 km south of Foremost, contains dinosaur and other bones, including some teeth. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 6: Map C18. Several Dinosaur skulls have been collected from the valley of Sage Creek, about
17.6 km north of Wildhorse and upstream. No doubt many bone fragments are still present. (Nielsen,
1977)
Locality 7: Map C38. Scabby Butte is 1.6 km north of Nobleford, then 3.2 km east, then north again.
The butte extends for several kilometres in a roughly east-west direction, and dinosaur bone fragments
are abundant along its base. The location, an isolated badland exposure of the Upper Cretaceous St.
32
Mary River Formation, was the site of one of the earliest (1881) dinosaur discoveries in Western Canada.
Two Pachyrhinosaurus shulls were excavated in 1955, and a mosasaur skeleton has also been recovered.
Also found are: teeth of the ray Myledaphus bipartitus Cope, tiny, button-like teeth of Paralbula casei
Estes (a herring-like, mollusc-eating fish), crocodile teeth (usually lumped into the genus Leidyosuchus),
ganoid scales of the garpike Lepisosteus, and occasional small fish vertebrae.
Locality 8: Map C40. The badlands south of Irvine, east of Medicine Hat on Highway 1, contain large
amounts of dinosaur bones, turtle shells, Garfish scales, Chamsosaurus vertebrae.
Locality 9: Map C19. The entire badlands area around Drumheller is word-famous for the large number
of complete or near-complete dinosaur skeletons it has yielded. While the most accessible scientific
specimens have likely been removed by now, erosion of river cliffs continually exposes new material.
Bone and wood fragments are therefore quite abundant. Take this opportunity to visit the Tyrrell
Museum of Palaeontology. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 10: No map. Rosebud Creek valley is about 10 km south of Drumheller. Take the road to
Wayne, then search the valley foot, as roads are scarce. The main valley, as well as the coulee south of
town, have yielded dinosaur bones, molluscs, dinosaur teeth, and shark teeth. It is frequently necessary to
climb some distance up the hills to look for material. When the creek bed is dry, the lower portion is also
worth checking.
Locality 11: Map C19 & C36. Northwest of Drumheller, and just west of Munson, is a ferry crossing
the Red Deer River. Stop at the campsite just east of the bridge. Petrified wood and dinosaur bones are
found at the base of the cliffs in this area. A duck-billed dinosaur, Edmontosaurus, was found just east of
here in 1923. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 12: Map C19. From the Munson ferry, go west about 4.8 km, take the first road straight north
for 6.4 km, then go east to the main river valley. Dinosaur bones occur here. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 13: No map. (See locality 19 in plant section) Joffre bridge (Paskapoo Formation) is located 14
km east of downtown Red Deer. It is an extremely good locality for vertebrate, plant, amphibian,
mammal, insect, fish and tetrapod fossils. (Taylor & Stockey, 1984 for scientific names of fossils.).
Locality 14: Map C26. Dinosaur Provincial Park. A list of more than 177 quarries is given on map C26.
Various Dinosaur species were found. Collecting is forbidden. (Danis, 1986 and Koster et al, 1986)
Locality 15: Map C30. Kneehill creek area. Follow the dinosaur trail from Drumheller along the south
bank until the first stream. Follow this stream upstream until you get to a large bed of oysters. Dinosaur
bones can also be found higher up the creek.
Locality 16: Map C30. Ghost Pine Creek area: Follow the dinosaur trail from Drumheller along the
south bank until you come to the third bridge. At the third bridge there is a deep valley of scrubs and
grasslands fenced off. A creek is running through it. Follow the cow path across the creek. Cross the
creek four times. To your right there is a recess in the hills. Petrified bone and wood can be found.
(Source unknown)
33
Locality 17: Map C30. Air strip area: From Drumheller, take the road to Stettler, turn off to Drumheller
airstrip. Go past airstrip till road turns along the edge of the coulee. At bottom of coulee is a railroad
track. Numerous dinosaur locations in coulee from old mine shaft to river. Distance of 9.6 km from
mine to river. Dinosaur bones, Dinosaur teeth, oysters, clams, pine cones, snails. This valley has not
been visited very much. Locations are fairly high up hillside. (Source unknown)
Locality 18: Map C45. Horseshoe Canyon: From the parking lot area, look at the extreme northern part
of the canyon. You will see a coulee with lots of spruce and pine trees. That is where you want to go.
Go down the Canyon and walk one hour until you reach a very obvious oyster bed in the creek itself
(probably the same oyster bed described at locality 15). The hills surrounding this location are full of
dinosaur remains. THE GUSHER went there in July 1991 and brought back 14 well preserved but
broken bone samples and 2 very well preserved and complete slabs full of oysters. Bring a hammer and
lots of water since temperatures can reach 35 to 40 celcius very easily in the canyon.
Locality 19: No map. Park your car at the campground on highway 585 east of Trochu, on the Red Deer
River. Explore the badlands upstream. To cover more ground, bring along a mountain bike. (see
appendix B under THE GUSHER).
Locality 20: No map. Three or four years ago, there was a discovery of Dinosaur eggs in Southern
Alberta. Even though the exact location is not known to us, we were told it is located in Devil's Couleee
south of the town of Milk River. This locality is kept secret by the palaeontologists because of the rarity
of similar fossil occurrences. Similar sites have also been found in Northern Montana. The eggs
belonged to the Hadrosaurus (Duck-Billed dinosaur).
34
FISH (Figure E13)
Typical material can include complete skeletons, whether articulated or disturbed but having all part
associated, as flattened whole animals on bedding planes of fine-grained sediments. Burrows or nests
may be preserved. A desiccating pond or mass kills associated with volcanic ashfalls or anoxic
conditions may give rise to the preservation of remains of many individuals. Isolated bones or clusters of
bones such as heavy spines, vertebrae or disarticulated head or gill arch elements, scales and teeth may
accumulate in small current eddies, either in freshwater streams or lakes, or beaches, or in backwaters and
swales.
FISH LOCALITIES (Gardiner 68)
***** SUPER-CLASS ELASMOBRANCHIOMORPHI *********
*********** CLASS ARTHRODIRA *******************

_____________________________________________
Sub-class Antiarchi
Order Asterolepiformes
Family Asterolepidae
Genus Bothriolepis
Localities:
1) Northeast spur of End Mountain (T.26,R.9W5). From the middle of the Ghost River formation and in
the upper most breccio-conglomerate. Devonian.
2) From the North Saskatchewan River gap in the Brazeau Range. Perdrix Formation. Devonian.
_____________________________________________
Sub-class Arthrodiri
Order Coccosteiformes
Sub-order Brachythoraci
Family Coccosteidae
Genus Coccosteus
Localities:
1) End Mountain, in the front range of the Rocky Mountains. Ghost River Formation. Middle Devonian.
2) Northeast spur of End Mountain (T.26,R.9W5). In the uppermost breccio conglomerate from the
middle of the Ghost River Formation. Middle Devonian.
_____________________________________________
Genus Dinichthys
35
Locality:
1) 1.6 kilometres east of the cement plant at Exshaw (83-C-6). From the highest bed of the Minnewanka
limestone. Upper Devonian.
############################################################
********** CLASS HOLOCEPHALI ***********************
_____________________________________________
Order Edestiformes
Family Helicoprionidae
Genus Lissoprion
Locality:
1) Sundance Canyon, Banff. Rocky Mountain quartzite (phosphate horizon). Upper Carboniferous.
_____________________________________________
Genus Scoliorhiza
Locality:
1) Upper Rocky River (82-O-4). From the lower part of the Upper Banff (Rundle) limestone, a short
distance above the contact with the Banff shale (watch for teeth). Lower Carboniferous.
_____________________________________________
Order Heterodontiformes
Family Helodontidae
Genus Helodus Agassiz
Localities:
1) Roche Miette, near Jasper Lake, 48 km northeast of the Yellowhead Pass, (83-F-4). Upper Devonian.
2) North Side of the Athabaska River, at Brule Lake, on the eastern slope of Bullrush Mountain, (83-F-4).
Upper Devonian.
______________________________________________
Order Elopiformes
Family Elopidae Romer, 1966
Genus Paratarpon apogerontus
Locality
1) Upper Cretaceous Oldman Formation, SE1/4, Sec. 31, Twp 3N, Rg3w4. In a shale bank about 5
metres below sandy shale and clay-sand band which apparently marks the top of the PaleBeds (Oldman
Fm). The site is in exposures developed along a tributary stream on the south side of Sage Creek.
(Bardack, 1970)
______________________________________________
Order Chimaeriformes
Family Cochliodontidae
36
Genus Deltodus
Locality:
1) The Gap, Livingstone Range, north of Lundbreck (Watch for teeth).
_____________________________________________
Family Chimaeridae
Genus Chimaerotheca
Localities:
1) From 312 metres (1023') above the base of the Nikanassin formation on the Sulphur and Sheep Rivers
(tributaries of the Smoky River) in the foothills of the Peace River district. Upper Jurassic.
2) Steveville. Upper Cretaceous
############################################################
*********** CLASS ELASMOBRANCHII *******************
_____________________________________________
Sub-class Euselachii
Order Hybodontiformes
Family Ptychodontidae
Genus Ptychodus Agassiz
Locality:
1) Peace River, 32 km above the mouth of the Battle River, Athabaska district. Peace River sandstone.
Cretaceous
_____________________________________________
Order Heterodontiformes
Family Heterodontidae
Genus Palaeospinax
Locality:
1) 4.8 km north of Tolman on the east side of the Red Deer River, 107 metres above water mark. Upper
Edmonton member. Upper Cretaceous.
_____________________________________________
Order Galeiformes
Sub-order Isuroidii
Family Isuridae
Genus Lamna
Locality:
1) Red Deer River. From the Edmonton beds (Lower Edmonton member) and from the Oldman
formation. Upper Cretaceous.
_____________________________________________
Genus Isurus
37
Locality:
1) Etzikom Coulee, Foremost. Foremost beds. Upper Cretaceous.
_____________________________________________
Order Rajiformes
Family Dasyatidae
Genus Myledaphus
Localities:
1) Red Deer River (below Berry Creek, Map C37). Belly River series (particularly Oldman Formation).
Upper Cretaceous.
2) Red Deer River (82-P-10, 15). Edmonton series. Upper Cretaceous.
3) Jordans Local, northwest of Rumsey (SE 1/4 S.31,T.34,R.21W4). From about 50 metres below the top
of the Edmonton beds and 6 metres above the uppermost of the two coal seams. Upper Cretaceous.
4) Milk River Formation in southern Alberta. Upper Cretaceous.
5) Southeast of Deadhorse Coulee (L.sd.8, S.32, T.1, R.11W4). From about 15 metres above the Lower
Milk River sandstone. Upper Cretaceous.
6) Little Sandhill Creek, badlands of Alberta. Oldman formation. Upper Cretaceous.
7) Also from the Oldman Formation at Manyberries (Map C41). About 9 metres below the top of the
PaleBeds (Oldman Fm), in a sandstone with clay and lignitic bands, near the Base of a sandstone butte,
on the west side of a coulee tributary to South Manyberries Creek, in SW1/4, Sec. 35, Twp 4, Rge 5w4
(Langston, 1970).
*********** CLASS ACTINOPTERYGII ***************

______________________________________________
Sub-class Chondrostei
Order Palaeonisciformes
Sub-order Palaeoniscoidei
Family Palaeoniscidae
Genus Pteronisculus
Locality:
1) 3.2 km east of Castle Mountain Railway station on the trail to Johnson Creek, 3.2 km north of Rangers
cabin (82-O-4). Lower Triassic Spray River formation.
______________________________________________
Order Saurichthyiformes
Family Saurichthyidae
Genus Saurichthys
38
Locality:
1) Just west of the railway siding at Massive, 19,2 km west of Banff (82-O-4). Lower Triassic Spray
River Formation.
______________________________________________
Order Perleidiformes
Family Perleididae
Genus Albertonia
Locality:
1) Railway cutting a few hundred metres west of massive (82-O-4) Lower Triassic
______________________________________________
Order Bobasatraniiformes
Family Bobasatraniidae
Genus Bobasatrania
Localities:
1) Near Johnson Creek, 3.2 km east of Castle Mountain Railway station (82-O-4). In the set of beds
outcropping at Massive and on the Johnson creek trail. Lower Triassic Spray River.
2) Near Poboktan Pass, northwest of Brazeau Lake, 80 km southeast of Jasper (82-O-3). Spray River
Formation. Lower Triassic.
______________________________________________
Order Acipenseriformes
Family Acipenseridae
Genus Acipenser
Localities:
1) Belly River series, west side of Red Deer River, Upper Cretaceous.
2) Edmonton beds (Lower, Middle & Upper Edmonton), Red Deer River (82-P-10, 15). Upper
Cretaceous.
3) Oldman Formation. Red Deer River

______________________________________________
Sub-class Holostei
Division Holosteans
Order Semionotiformes
Family Lepisosteidae
Genus Lepisosteus
Localities:
1) Red Deer River (below mouth of Berry Creek, Map C37). Belly River series. Upper Cretaceous.
2) Ross Coulee, near Irvine (Map C40). Upper Cretaceous.
39
3) Oldman Formation. Upper Cretaceous.
4) Southeast side of Deadhorse Coulee (Lsd 8,S.32,T.1,R.11w4) about 15 metres above the Lower Milk
River sandstone and (Lsd12, S.33,T.1,R.11w4) about 12 metres above the Lower Milk River sandstone,
in a tributary valley on the southeast side of Deadhorse Coulee. Upper Cretaceous.
5) Willow Creek. Willow Creek Formation. Palaeocene.

______________________________________________
Order Amiiformes
Family Amiidae
Genus Kindleia (genus very similar to Amia)
Localities:
1) 45 metres below the top of the Edmonton Formation, northwest of Rumsey (SE 1/4
S.31,T.34,R.21w4). From 6 metres above the uppermost of the two coal seams (82-P-15). Upper
Cretaceous.
2) 1.6 km west of Red Deer. From the Paskapoo beds on the right bank of the red Deer River (Lsd
1,2,S.18,T.38,R.27w4). Palaeocene
3) From sandstone and shale outcrops of the left bank of the Bow River, southwest of the village of
Cochrane (Lsd.7,S.4,T.26,R.4w4). Upper Cretaceous.
4) On a large railway cutting about 1.6 km east of Cochrane (Lsd.4,S.1,T.26,R.4w5). Vertebrae (fish)
occur in a bed of fresh water shells about 17 metres above the railway track (83-A). Upper Cretaceous.
5) Erickson's landing. From a large outcrop of sandstone and shale on the left bank of Red Deer River.
Vertebrae occur at the west end, uppermost part of this outcrop, 30 metres above the river, associated
with a shell band and a thin coal seam (S.23,T.38,R.26,w4). Upper Cretaceous.
6) Willow Creek. Willow Creek Formation. Palaeocene.
7) On a rock cutting of the C.P.R., 1,6 km east of Milford Siding. Bow River Formation. Upper
Cretaceous.
8) Saunders Formation. Upper Cretaceous.
_____________________________________________
Genus Protamia
Localities:
1) McLeod River, near mouth of the Embarras River. Upper Edmonton, Upper Cretaceous.
2) Also recorded from the Saunders Formation, Paskapoo Formation and Oldman Formation. Upper
Cretaceous.
40
______________________________________________
Division Haleocostomes
Order Aspidorhynchiformes
Family Aspidorhynchidae
Genus Belonostomus
Localities:
1) Red Deer River. Oldman Formation. Upper Cretaceous.
2) 45 metres below the top of the Edmonton beds and 6 metres above uppermost of two coal seams (SE
1/4 S.31,T.34,R.21w4). Northwest of Rumsey. Upper Cretaceous.
______________________________________________
Sub-class Teleostei
Order Clupeiformes
Sub-order Elopoidei
Family Albulidae
Genus Albulid
Locality:
1) Red Deer River. Belly River series. Upper Cretaceous.
______________________________________________
Sub-order Clupeoidei
Family Ichthyodectidae
Genus Portheus
Locality: Badheart Creek. Wapiabi Formation. Upper Cretaceous.

_____________________________________________
Order Beryciformes
Sub-order ????????
Family ????????
Genus Berycoid
Locality:
1) Lille, Crowsnest Pass. Dakota Formation. Cretaceous.
______________________________________________
Order Perciformes
Sub-order Percoidei
Family Priscarcaridae
Genus ????????
Locality: Edmonton Formation. Upper Cretaceous
*************** CLASS SARCOPTERYGII **********

______________________________________________
Sub-class Crossopterygii
41
Order Coelacanthiformes
Family Coelacanthidae
Genus Coelacanthus
Localities:
1) Railway cutting a few hundred metres west of Massive (82-O-4). Spray River Formation. Lower
Triassic.
2) From 3.2 km east of Castle Mountain Railway Station, on the trail to Johnson Creek, 3.2 km north of
forest Rangers Cabin.
3) Sanwapta Pass, Mount Athabaska. Upper Devonian.

_____________________________________________
Sub-class Dipteri
Order Phaneropleuriformes
Family Scaumenacidae
Genus Various type of fish remains
Localities:
1) Edmonton Formation (82-P-10, 15). Upper Cretaceous.
2) From Muskeg Creek along the Athabaska River (Lsd.2,S.1,T.66,R.23w4). La Biche Formation
3) Alexo map area. Banff Formation.
4) (SE 1/4,S.19,T.80,R.17w4) on the Athabaska River. In sand-shaly nodules of the Pelican Formation.
Cretaceous.
5) 172 metres from the base of the Rocky Mountain Formation, in southwestern Alberta.
6) Ram River, 1067 metres up from the mouth of Fall Creek. Fernie Group. Lower Cretaceous.
7) Along Dizzy Creek, elevation 1204 metres. Blackstone Group. Upper Cretaceous.
8) North Saskatchewan River Gap, east of Dutch Creek and at 1250 metres of elevation. Banff
Formation. Mississipian.
9) Along the Peace River, on the west bank, 4 km upstream from Peace River town (SW
1/4,S.19,T.83,R.21w5). Shaftesbury Formation. Lower Cretaceous.
10) Along the northeast side of the Peace River (NW 1/4,S.26,and NE 1/4,S.27,T.87,R.20w5). Cadotte
member of the Peace River Formation. Lower Cretaceous.
11) Along the Peace River, 1.6 km upstream from the mouth of Cadotte River. Shaftesbury formation.
Lower Cretaceous.
42
12) Pearl Creek which is a tributary of the Sulphur River. From 66 metres above the lower contact of the
shales of the Fort St-John group. Lower Cretaceous.
13) The north bank of the Clearwater River, 21.5 km downstream from the mouth of High Hill River.
From argillaceous limestones of the Calumet member. Upper Devonian.
14) In the vicinity of Vermilion Falls, Vermilion chutes area, Peace River. Mikkwa Formation. Upper
Devonian.
15) Vimy, Sturrock, Muskiki, Dowling and Haven Members in the Rocky Mountain foothills.
Cretaceous
16) Grave Flats Map area, Thistle Creek. Wapiabi Formation. Cretaceous.
FISH BY LOCALITIES
Locality 1: Map C17. Drive 6.4 km north and 1.6 km east of Aden to Halfbreed Creek (labelled "Breed
Creek" on recent topographic maps) a tributary of the Milk River in southern Alberta. A thin
conglomerate band (the "Halfbreed Creek sandstone"?) in the east bank contains shark's teeth and turtle
shell fragments (Nielsen, 1977). The "Halfbreed Creek sandstone" is one of two major sandstone
members in the Upper Cretaceous Pakowki Formation. The fragments are recovered from a friable,
reddish brown iron-stained, fine grained sandstone.
Locality 2: No map. Joffre bridge (See locality 19 in plant section).
43
GASTROPODS (Figure E2)
Ordovician gastropods (Norford, 1962)
Palliseria robusta - from 17 metres thick dolostone sequence, 250 meters below Mount Wilson
Quartzite, west slope of Nigel Peak, Jasper Park.
"Turbo" ferniensis - Fernie Group, Oxfordian stage, Cascade River, near Bankhead, Banff Park.
"Turbo" ferniensis - Fernie Group, Green beds, Oxfordian stage, shale quarry in Blairmore.
GASTROPODS BY LOCALITIES
Locality 1: Map C5 & C39. Tertiary gastropods (snails) occur along the Blindman River. Turn east off
highway No. 2A, just south of Blackfalds at the oilfield salvage company (???). Go 1.6 km east, then
turn south to the river. Walk (and climb) a short distance upstream, where gastropods are found near
water level along the Blindman river just below a 1.3 cm coal seam. These are very fragile and should be
treated with considerable care. About 1.6 km further east on the same paved road, turn south to the Red
Deer River at Burbank railway station. Just downstream of the mouth of the Blindman River, fossil plant
leaves occur in the river banks in sandstone. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 2: Map C32 and C33. Cochrane area: Gastropods occur in the Paskapoo formation on the Bow
River shores at the locality marked with an X on map C32. The other localities on Map C32 bear various
marine fossils such as ammonites (Seebe), and brachiopods. Map C33 shows some pits and quarries
where fossils could be find.
44
MAMMALS
QUATERNARY MAMMAL FOSSILS (Stalker, 1984)
About 1960, the discovery of many fossil bone sites on the southwestern Canadian Prairies put Alberta
(and Saskatchewan) on the map of fossil mammals in North America. The finds reveal a succession of
well adapted faunas as rich and diverse as any now found in Africa, including camels, lions, zebras and
elephants. The fossil beds show how the populations changed as some species slowly evolved into
succeeding ones and others became extinct. They also indicate when new species arrived either from
Asia across the Bering land bridge that formed as the ocean lowered during glaciation, or from South
America across the Isthmus of Panama.
The bulk of the animals (55 out of 72) were found along the Saskatchewan River from 10 km above to 20
km below the city of Medicine Hat, within what is called "The Medicine Hat sites" (Stalker provides a
map which we can not reproduce in this report). Here the river cuts across both its preglacial valley and
several of its interglacial ones. Early glaciers blocked these valleys, which subsequently filled with
debris brought by later glaciers, lakes, streams and wind. The exposures present sections 30 m to 100 m
high through a broad range of quaternary deposits.
The Medicine Hat sites are outstanding for the number of fossil beds found in individual sections.
Several exposures contain five bone beds of different ages. In other parts of the continent sections with
even three fossils levels of Quaternary age are extremely rare. It is not known why these concentrations
of bones exist. Perhaps gentle river banks along with good fords across the rivers enticed migrating
grazing animals into the valleys, and abundant shrubs and trees along the river provided ample food for
browsers. Moreover, when these animals, breaking through winter ice, caught in floods, or prey to
predators or disease, died in the valley, their bones had a good chance of preservation. They were buried
in river deposits or in the muck of swampy parts of the floodplain. But the dominant factor in the
preservation was a generally semiarid climate that retarded decomposition both before and after burial.
In the fossil beds the type of material present partly determines the number and types of bones recovered.
Coarse river deposits like gravel typically yield bones of large animals, since small animals were
generally crushed during deposition or swept farther downstream by the strong currents which laid down
the gravel. Fine material left by gentle streams and lakes may contain the remains of large and small
animals. But other factors also influence strongly the number of bones recovered from a site: the amount
of study given it, for instance, and the ease of collecting. The South Saskatchewan river continually
exposes new deposits at Medicine Hat, for example, and makes it easy to pick out the many bones
recovered from the basal beds near river level.
The seventeen remaining animals (out of 72) were found at the "Wellsch Valley" site in Saskatchewan
(no map is displayed for this site since it is outside the scoop of this study). At this location, the basal
beds were laid down about 1.75 million years ago under badlands conditions. Though the climate was, as
45
it is today, normally dry, sudden downpours caused flash floods and sheetwash that swept silt and other
debris, along with any bones lying on the surface, into the beds that are now exposed.
As a result, those beds consist principally of poorly sorted silt containing gravel bands and sand lenses,
and the bones are mostly from large animals. The overlying material, however, was laid down in quiet
lakes or by wind and so yields, in addition, numerous bones of small animals, particularly rodents.
The oldest mammoth found in Canada, as well as the first peccary and the only shrub-ox, are among the
Wellsch Valley fauna. Small animals include a pocket gopher and a vole, both new species. The fauna
here is vastly different from that at Medicine Hat----only the same ground sloth appears at both sites.
More than a million years elapsed before the oldest Medicine Hat beds were deposited. Those basal
deposits consist of coarse river gravel that changes upward into interfingering beds of gravel and clay laid
down as the South Saskatchewan River periodically overflowed. The succession ends with a thick
sequence of sand and silt in a lake formed when the first glacier blocked the river. This whole process
probably spanned the period 600000 to 400000 years ago.
The difference between the earliest deposits at the two sites, laid down a million years apart, is drastic. A
new variety of mammoth and different camels appear. Rodents are rare, and a stilt-legged ass and a
comparatively large horse replaced the Pacific and eastern horses seen at Wellsch Valley. The earlier
species did not all become extinct; most still existed elsewhere on the continent. The animals either
disappeared from the local scene, or their remains were not preserved and recovered.
Remnants of stumps and trunks of large trees, smaller branches, vestiges of leaves and seeds, pollen, and
then peaty bands are abundant in the deposits laid down half a million years ago. The landscape must
have resembled the present one, with trees drooping over the river edge, and trees, shrubs and brush
occupying damp parts of the river floodplain. In addition to the willow, aspen and cottonwood now
growing along the river, the old flora included Manitoba maple, ash and spruce, types which no longer
grow there. The South Saskatchewan River, periodically inundating its floodplain, preserved the plant
remains in silt and clay.
The next animals on the chart are 300000 years and several glaciations later. They belong to the last
great interglacial stage of the Quaternary period. Once again the bones were in river deposits. We
identify 31 types, more than from any other unit. This is partly the result of intensive study, but the beds
nonetheless are highly prolific and yield extremely diverse creatures.
Changes are again remarkable. The fauna began to assume its modern aspect, but the section still
includes many exotic animals we tend to associate with Africa: camels, elephants,lions, zebra. Two
completely new species of horse appear: the niobrara and the Neogene with its only Canadian occurrence
here. Only the white-tailed prairie dog, large Columbian mammoth and western camel remain from
earlier beds. The stilt-legged ass has evolved into the small Mexican ass, one of the most prominent
equines for the remainder of the Quaternary; a close relative of it is still found in Siberia. The plains
llama, a relative of the llamas of South America, has joined the camels and the first bison ---- a
long-horned variety ---- appears, while ground sloths and lions are still prominent. Most of the other
varieties still exist today.
46
Less drastic changes developed during the 70000 years of the last glacial stage. Glaciers advanced and
retreated; animals repopulated the region several times. The largest array of animals was found towards
the middle of that stage ---- including coyote, bison, skunk, rabbit, horse, camel, ground sloth and
mammoth. Then between 15000 and 10000 years ago came the "great extinction". Mammoths, horses,
camels, lions, sabre-toothed cats, ground sloths and dire wolves disappeared, leaving our present
relatively impoverished animal population. We are not sure what role man, a ravaging hunter of
creatures that were probably already the victims of increasingly harsh climatic conditions, may have
played in this great extinction. People were certainly in this area 12000 years ago when the extinction
was near its height and may have been on the scene much earlier.
RECENT MAMMAL FOSSILS (Wilson & Hardy, 1987) (Map C27, C28)
Archaeological sites in the Calgary area include, for example, buffalo (bison) bone beds, structural
remains such as "tipi rings", and camp refuse middens. In the north part of the town, an archaeological
inventory and impact assessment on Nose Hill Park land resulted in discovery of no less than 42
prehistoric sites. These included 7 stone circle sites and a stone cairn, as well as four campsites and a
possible bison kill. To the west, in new divisions such as Hawkwood, equally impressive numbers of
sites have been found.
In the Fish Creek Park area of southeast Calgary, some 46 prehistoric sites and 5 historic sites have
been discovered. The sites include a bison kill and an associated butchering area and campsite.
Bison bones were encountered during excavation of a basement for an art salon at 16th Avenue and 7th
Street S.W.. Excavations 3 m below street level revealed a bone bed from an ancient bison kill about
8100 years old. The site was named Mona Lisa site, after the art salon. A piton, the south side of 15th
avenue between 6th and 7th Streets, revealed a similar bone bed. Other finds in the Mount Royal village
area at 16th Avenue and 18th Street, revealed four bone beds, ranging in age from 8200 to 5100 years
old. All of the bone beds represented bison kills, and side-notched projectile points were recovered from
the upper two.
Fluted projectile points, have been found at lake Minnewanka and Sibbald Creek west of the Calgary area
and could be as much as 11000 years old. Others were recovered in excavations prior to the widening of
Highway 22 on the east rim of the Bow valley at the southern city limits. The Sibbald creek site is
located about 70 km west of Calgary just upstream from the confluence of Sibbald and Jumping ground
Creeks. The site has yielded a variety of projectile point styles of Early Prehistoric and later times. It
appears that the Sibbald Creek site was occupied as early as 11000 years ago. A large spear point from
the Crossfield area is fashioned of obsidian, or volcanic glass. Studies of the composition indicate that
the obsidian for this artifact came from Yellowstone Park area, more than 1000 km to the south. A
somewhat similar projectile point, this time fashioned of locally derived silicified siltstone, has been
found in the Parkdale area of northwest Calgary.
Bones of mammoth, camel, horse, and giant bison have been recovered from gravels in the Calgary area
and are dated 11500 to 10500 years old. A partial mammoth tusk was found in a basement at
Northmount Drive and 14th Street N.W. in 1958 and another was found in a basement in Bowness.
47
Several archaeological sites were exposed also in the Point Mackay area of northwest Calgary. On a
series of low terraces a few metres above the Bow River five archaeological sites were found and
excavated. A site was a 4600-year-old hearth with butchered bison bones and another was a
4000-year-old campsite with a hearth and abundant fire-cracked rocks.
Excavations at the Heads's - Smashed - In Buffalo Jump and Old Women's Buffalo Jump have made
these sites world famous. Closer to Calgary, the FM Buffalo Jump with its associated campsite along
the Bow River east of DeWinton is of a similarly impressive scale. The campsite/butchering area reveals
at least seven cultural horizons dating back as many as 1200 years ago.
All the archaeological information from Calgary and anywhere in Alberta remains with the
Archaeological Survey of Alberta in Edmonton, and few of these are readily available to the public
because vandalism is virtually guaranteed in the city. Collectors must be reminded that Alberta's
legislation places ownership of all archaeological artifacts clearly with the government, making it illegal
for citizens to excavate artifacts in Alberta without a permit. Even if an artifact is picked up, it remains
the property of the government. Information concerning regulations is available from the Archaeological
Survey of Alberta, 8820-112 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2P8 [tel. (403) 427-2355].
See also Localities 17 and 19 in plant section.
48
PELECYPODS (Figure E2)
Jurassic pelecypods (Frebold, 1963)
Oxytoma cygnipes - Fernie Group, Oxytoma bed, top of Nordegg Member, Sinemurian stage, top of
mountain immediately south of marble Mountain.
Gryphaea cadominensis - Fernie Group, Rock Creek Member, Middle Bajocian, Whitehorse River, 6.5
km north of Rocky Mountain Park.
Inoceramus ferniensis - Fernie Group, Rock Creek Member, Middle Bajocian, Oldman River gap,
Livingstone Range.
Oxytoma mclearni - Fernie Group, Rock Creek Member, Middle Bajocian stage, 0.8 km east of Burns'
coal mine.
Corbula munda - Fernie Group, Corbula munda beds, Upper bathonian or lower Callovian stages,
Lima albertensis - Fernie Group, Corbula munda beds, Upper Bathonian or lower Callovian stage,
Pleuromya postculminata - Fernie Group, Corbula munda beds, Upper Bathonian or lower Callovian
stage, Grassy Mountain, north of Blairmore.
Gryphaea impressimarginata - Fernie Group, Gryphaea bed, Lower Callovian, Near Adanac strip
mine, Carbondale area.
Anomia albertensis - Fernie Group, Gryphaea bed, Lower Callovian, Grassy Mountain, north of
Blairmore.
Oxytoma blairmorensis - Fernie Group, Gryphaea bed, Lower Callovian, Grassy Mountain, north of
Blairmore. Also common in the Corbula munda beds.
Ostrea dowlingi - Fernie Group, Corbula munda beds, Upper Bathonian or Lower Callovian, Grassy
Mountain, north of Blairmore.
Inoceramus obliquiformis - Fernie Group, Gryphaea bed, Lower Callovian, Creek north of Blairmore.
Pleuromya obtusiprorata - Fernie Group, Upper Corbula munda and Gryphaea beds, Lower
Callovian, Grassy Mountain, North of Blairmore.
49
Cucullaea livingstonensis - Fernie Group, Upper Corbula munda and Gryphaea beds, Lower
Callovian, Grassy Mountain, North of Blairmore.
Buchia concentrica Fernie Group, uppermost part of Green beds. Upper Oxfordian or lower
Kimmeridgian, Carbondale River.
PELECYPODS BY LOCALITIES
Locality 1: Map C1. Take the Hillspring turnoff west from Highway No. 5, about 1.6 km north of
Cardston. Drive to the Belly River bridge and turn east on the first road beyond the bridge. About .4 km
from the turnoff is a trail turning right. It leads to a large oyster bed beside the river, which has been
mined commercially. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 2: Map C2. Turn north off Highway No. 3, 1.6 km east of Lundbreck and drive north to the
Crowsnest River valley. Although the river bank outcrops are mainly colored shale and sandstone,
several oyster beds are present here. More occur further west also. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 3: Map C2. Turn south from Highway No. 3 on Lee's Lake turnoff, drive past the lake to a
steel bridge crossing Castle River. Walk just upstream along cliffs. Large clam (Inoceramus) occur in
black shale. Just above them are some small ammonites called Prionotropis. Small black chert pebbles
also occur here. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 4: Map C2. Take the Longview turnoff from Highway No. 3, just west of Lundbreck. Cross
the bridge over the Crowsnest River, go a short distance east, and climb down into the river valley. Just
above a 15 cm coal seam are ironstone concretions containing large-ribbed clams called Arctica ovata.
(Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 4: Map C13. Go south from Cardston to 3.2 km north of the international border crossing of
Carway. Turn east about 4.8 km until coming to the St. Mary's River. In its cliffs are deposits of oyster
shell. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 5: No map. The vertical shale and sandstone cliffs just beside the Highway northeast of
Dunvegan Bridge contain abundant oysters and some brachiopods. They are very fragile, however, and
must be handled carefully.
Locality 6: No map. (also locality 9 in plants) About 9.6 km north of Bow Island, the major coulees
contain numerous pelecypod shells, and smaller amounts of a poor grade petrified wood.
Locality 7: Map C9. Turn West on Highway 19 and pass Falun co-op store and the school, which is
about 1.6 km beyond, go 9.6 km south, then 6.4 km west to Mount Red county park. The gravel banks
there contain large amounts of Campeloma shell in a rock which cuts and polishes well. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 8: No Map. Drive east through downtown Ponoka on highway 53 about 2.4 km until coming to
an intersection with a Calgary Power transformer station on the far side. Turn north about 30 metres just
50
before a grove of trees. The road ditch on both sides contains rocks bearing Campeloma shell. If you
drive 9.6 kms east of Ponoka on Highway 53 to the crossroads 3.2 kms before you reach Nelson Lake,
you will find a long, wide reef, about two metres in places, which contains a large amount of turitella,
beautifully agatized. Unfortunately, there has been much commercial exploitation of the site since the
early 1960's, but there is still a great deal left.
51
PLANTS (Figures E7 to E12)
Devonian plants (McLaren et al, 1962)
Svalbardia - Type section of Ghost River Formation 10 metres above unconformity, creek on west side
of north branch of Ghost River.
Lower Cretaceous plants (Bell, 1965)
Nilssonia schaumburgensis - Kootenay Formation, Panther River, at first coal mine.
Cladophlebis heterophylla - Kootenay Formation, Lyon Creek, 3.2 km south of Blairmore, Below 6.5
cm coal seam at top of formation. Also Nikanassin Formation, Kakwa River, 20-59-13w5.
Ginkgo nana - Nikanassin Formation (upper part), Carson Creek, tributary to Wildhay River.
Coniopteris yukonensis - Nikanassin Formation, Kakwa River, 20-59-13w5.
Coniopteris brevifolia - Kootenay Formation, Canmore, roof of No. 4 coal seam, approximately 394
metres above top of basal sandstone of formation.
Gleichenites giesekianus - Luscar Formation, Smoky River, 30 metres above 2.5 metre coal seam on
Abbot Creek, east of Grande Cache.
Cladophlebis virginiensis - Luscar Formation, Kakwa River Basin, about 4.8 km up small creek
entering Mouse Cache Creek from the north, below Dead Horse Meadows.
Coniopteris brevifolia - Luscar Formation, Sphinx Creek, 4.3 km from junction with Gregg River, east
boundary Miette area.
Sagenopteris williamsii - Luscar Formation, Ridge above creek entering Mouse cache Creek from the
north below Dead Horse Meadows.
Sphenopteris Gleichenites erecta - Luscar Formation, Grigsby coal claim, Solomon Creek.
Acrostichopteris foliosa - Luscar Formation, Brûlé coalfield.
Sphenopteris latiloba - Luscar Formation, Wildhay River.
52
Sphenopteris bidens - Lower part of Blairmore Group, Castle River, north bank,, east of Hell Gate
canyon, and west of cable foot bridge on Carbon Hill property, approximately 240 metres above base of
group.
Klukia canadensis - Lower part of Blairmore group, York Creek, lower part, south of railway and west
of Blairmore. Also in Luscar Formation, Wildhay River and in Blairmore Group in Mill Creek area.
Cladophlebis parva - Luscar Formation, Brûlé coalfield and also in Crownest Formation, Mill Creek, 7-
1-6w5.
Sphenopteris acrodentata - Gething Formation, In a thinly bedded series with coal seams at north end
Coal Ridge, 1.6 km east of British Columbia and Alberta boundary, about 54? 10'N and 23 metres below
a massive conglomerate.
Sphenopteris (Ruffordia) göpperti - Luscar Formation, Sphinx Creek, 4.3 km from junction with Gregg
River, east boundary, Miette area. Also in Blairmore Group, in beds below base of upper Blairmore, Mill
Creek area.
Sphenopteris newberryi - Luscar Formation, Kakwa River, about 20.25 km upstream from entry of
Lynx Creek.
Ginkgo pluripartita - Luscar Formation, About 4.8 km upstream in second major tributary from south to
Kakwa River above Lynx Creek.
Zamites - Luscar Formation, Folding Mt. Creek, 4 km upstream from Mystery Lake.
Elatides curvifolia - Luscar Formation, Folding Mt. Creek, 4 km upstream from Mystery Lake.
Nilssonia brongniarti - Luscar Formation, Kakwa River Basin, about 3.2 km up small creek entering
Mouse Cache Creek from the north below Dead Horse Meadows.
Ptilophyllum (Anomozamites) montanense - Luscar Formation, Kakwa River Basin, about 4.8 km up
small creek entering Mouse cache Creek from the north, below Dead Horse Meadows.
Pterophyllum plicatum - Luscar Formation, Kakwa River, at small creek entering from north, 19.4 km
upstream from entry of Lynx Creek. Also 4 km up small tributary creek entering from north below dead
Horse Meadows.
Nilssonia california - Luscar Formation, Kakwa River basin, 2.4 km up small creek entering Mouse
Cache Creek below Dead Horse Meadows.
Pterophyllum rectangulare - Luscar Formation, Stiking Springs Creek, 34-60-13w5.
53
Pityophyllum nordenskiöldi - Luscar Formation, Folding Mt.Creek, 30 metres downstream from
outcrop of conglomeratic sandstone, Miette area.
Elatocladus acifolia - Luscar Formation, Junction of Cabin creek with Grey River, about 30 metres west
of cabin and 30 metres above cadomin conglomerate.
Elatocladus brevifolia - Luscar Formation, Folding Mt. Creek south bank, 4 km upstream from Mystery
Lake. Also Kakwa river basin, about 19.5 upstream from entry of Lynx Creek and at Sphinx Creek, 4.8
km upstream from junction with Gregg River, Miette area.
Elatides splendida - Luscar Formation, Sphinx Creek, east bank, 4 km upstream from junction with
Gregg River, Miette area.
Athrotaxites berryi - Luscar Formation, Folding Mt. Creek, 30 metres downstream from outcrop
conglomeratic sandstone, Miette area. Also North Branch Upper Berland River on Fortyfoot Falls Creek
and in Kakea river basin, about 40.5 km up small creek entering Mouse Cache Creek from the north
below Dead Horse Meadows.
Stenorachis striolatus - Luscar Formation, Folding Mt. Creek, Miette area, 4 km upstream from
Mystery lake.
Podozamites lanceolatus - Luscar Formation, Folding Mt. Creek, Miette area.
Sapindopsis augusta - Crownest Formation, Mill Creek, 7-1-6w5. Also Upper part of Blairmore group,
Fernie area, 3,727 metres in direction north 273? east from mouth of McEvoy creek.
Sphenopteris mclearni - Upper part of Blairmore group, Mill Creek area.
Cinnamomoides - Crownest Formation, Baker's Creek.
Celastrophyllum acutidens - Crownest Formation, Mill Creek.
Ficus ovatifolia - Crownest Formation, Mill Creek, 7-1-6-w5. Also in upper part of Blairmore group, at
Ma Butte and in Commotion Formation, Bullmoose Mt. Dawson Creek area.
Araliaephyllum westoni - Crownest Formation, Mill Creek, 7-1-6-w5.
Desmiophyllum - Upper part of Blairmore group, Mill Creek area.
54
Upper Cretaceous plants (Bell, 1965)
Cephalotaxopsis heterophylla - Dunvegan Formation, Torrens Creek, 2.8 km above junction with Hat
Creek.
Cephalotaxopsis albertensis Bell – Some fragments of sandstone with abundant remains of sterile twigs
of this conifer were gathered from the Belly River Formation at Sec. 16, Twp 22, Rge 4w5
Liriodendron giganteum - Dunvegan Formation, Cripple Creek, near Alberta - British Columbia
boundary.
Araliaephyllum rotundiloba - Dunvegan Formation, Just below creek that enters left bank Peace River
at longitude 118?16'W, from beds well down in formation and 141 metres below base of Paskapoo
Formation.
Palaeonuphar nordenskiöldi - Dunvegan Formation, Peace River, west bank, between Dunvegan and
mouth of Montagneuse River.
Sequoia - Oldman Formation, Red Deer River, 3.2 km south of Sand Creek, Steveville area.
Geinitzia formosa - Milk River Formation. N.E. 1/4, 2-3-15w4.
Artocarpus - Oldman Formation, 3.2 km south of mouth of Sand Creek, Steveville area. Also in St.
Mary River Formation, Glenwoodville river area.
Menispermites - Oldman Formation, Red Deer River, Steveville area.
Dombeyopsis nebrascensis - Oldman Formation, Red Deer River, 8.1 km below Matzhiwin Creek.
Also in Edmonton Formation, North Branch Burnt Timber Creek, about 4.8 km west of its confluence
with south branch.
Elatocladus albertaensis - Belly River Group, 16-22-4w5.
Ilex? mammillata and Brachyphyllum (Athrotaxites) - Belly River Group (base), Formation
immediately above wapiabi Formation and apparently equivalent to Milk River Formation. Tough Creek,
Mountain View area.
Platanus latiloba and affinis - Oldman Formation, Head of south branch sand Creek.
Vitis stantoni - Edmonton Formation, N.E. 1/4, 10-34-22w4.
Nymphaeites angulatus - St. Mary River Formation, Glenwoodville area.
Nymphaeites striatus - St. Mary River Formation, Waterton River.
55
Ginkgo adiantoides - St. Mary River Formation, Glenwoodville area.
Sequoia dakotensis - Lower part of Edmonton Formation, opposite mouth of Kneehill Creek.
Filicites knowltoni - St. Mary River Formation, Pincher Creek.
Araucarites longifolia - St. Mary River Formation, Glenwoodville area.
Metasequoia cuneata - St. Mary River Formation, Glenwoodville area, Belly River, 3-4-27w4.
Tertiary plants (Bell, 1965)
Osmunda macrophylla and Cryptomerites lambii - Paskapoo Formation, Blindman River, about 300
metres upstream from confluence with Red Deer River. (Map C5 & C39)
Cladophlebis groenlandica - Paskapoo formation, Burnt Timber Creek area, 8-31-8w5
Onoclea hebridica and Cryptomerites lambi - Paskapoo Formation, Burnt Timber Creek area, 5-8-31-
8w5.
Androvettia catenulata - Willow Creek Formation, SW 1/4, 1-13-28w4.
Metasequoia occidentalis - Palaeocene beds, North Saskatchewan River, 45.4 km west of Rocky
Mountain House. Also in Palaeocene post Brazeau beds, Coal valley, sterling open-cut, roof of Mynheer
coal seam.
Cryptomerites lambii - Paskapoo Formation, Burnt Timber Creek, 0.8 km upstream from Red Deer
River, (9,10)-5-31-8w5. Also at Blindman River, about 300 metres above confluence with Red Deer
River (Map C5 & C39).
Thuja interrupta - Post-Brazeau Palaeocene beds. Alexo area, tributary Shunga Creek, 40-13w5.
Elatocladus (Cryptomerites?) nordenskiöldi - Paskapoo Formation, Burnt Timber Creek, 0.8 km

upstream from Red Deer River, (9,10)-5-31-8w5.
Platanus basilobata - Paskapoo Formation, Brickburn, NE 1/4, 23-24-2w5.
Rhamnites ovatus - Paskapoo Formation, Red Deer River at mouth Blindman River (Map C5 & C39).
Platanus raynoldsii - Paskapoo Formation, Red Deer River, north side, cut-bank 15-18 metres high, SW
1/4, 14-31-9w5. Also at Burnt Timber Creek, 0.8 km upstream from Red Deer River, (9,10)-5-31-8w5.
56
Populus carneosa - Paskapoo Formation, Red Deer River, north side, about 2.4 km upstream from
mouth Blindman River, at 7.5 cm coal seam (Map C5 & C39).
Viburnum asperum - Paskapoo Formation, Red Deer River south side, near Red Deer, SE 1/4, 18-38-
27w4.
Celastrinites insignis - Paskapoo Formation, Burnt Timber Creek area, 5-(8,9)-31-8w5.
Viburnum antiquum - Paskapoo Formation, Brickburn, NE 1/4, 23-24-2w5.
Trochodendroides (Cercidiphyllum?) - Paskapoo Formation, Red Deer River, north side, 1/4, 14-31-
9w5.
Hicoria antiquorium - Paskapoo Formation, Burnt Timber Creek area, 8-31-8w5.
Aralia taurinensis - Paskapoo Formation, Pedley Creek, near highway bridge.
PLANTS BY LOCALITIES
Locality 1: Map C2. Turn off Highway No. 3 north at Cowley and go 1.6 km north, 1.6 km east, and 2.4
km north; crossing the Crowsnest River, then go west to the river bank. This is a locality of fossil plants.
(Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 2: Map C5 & C39. Turn east off highway No. 2A, just south of Blackfalds at the oilfield
salvage company (???). Go 1.6 km east, then turn south to the river. Walk (and climb) a short distance
upstream, where gastropods are found near water level along the Blindman river just below a 1.3 cm coal
seam. These are very fragile and should be treated with considerable care. About 1.6 km further east on
the same paved road, turn south to the red Deer River at Burbank railway station. Just downstream of the
mouth of the Blindman River, fossil plant leaves occur in the river banks in sandstone. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 3: Map C8 and C22. Go south from highway No. 16 at the Valleyview turnoff to Genesee
bridge over the North Saskatchewan River. Cross the bridge to the south side and go west, and south
several km to Genesee store. Drive west and north about 6.4 km to a private farm (obtaining owner's
permission) and walk 0.8 km to the river bank. This is an excellent site for fossilized ferns. Detailed
directions may be obtained at the store. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 4: Map C10. Cross McLeod River north of Peers and go west about 1.6 km (getting permission
to cross private land). Gravel bars along the river contain large pieces and stumps of carbonized wood, as
well as smaller pieces of agatized wood of gem quality. Gravel bars anywhere along this part of the river
should contain the same types of material. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 5: Map C11. Carbonized wood and petrified wood occur along the McLeod River at the bridge
about 4.8 km east of Edson. (Nielsen, 1977)
57
Locality 6: Map C11. Turn north at the first road beyond the level railway crossing at the east side of
Edson, past Centennial park. Follow this road 12.8 km northeast to a bridge across the Edson River.
Gravel beds along the river contain carbonized wood. Note also the fossil stump sitting upright in the
sandstone bank of the river about .4 km downstream. At the mouth of the stream, on the north side, such
material is common for some distance along the McLeod River. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 7: Map C12. About 8 km east of Hinton, on Highway No. 16A (the old gravel road which
follows the river), stop at the bridge over Pedley Creek. Go upstream about 300 m to a fossil plant
locality. This outcrop includes some ferns. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 8: Map C14. Drive north from Highway No. 18, 11.2 km north of Vega, then walk slightly
downstream along the bank of the Athabasca River. Outcrops here contain coal, sandstone, and
concretions, with fossilized wood. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 9: No map. (also locality 6 in pelecypod) About 9.6 km north of Bow Island, the major coulees
contain numerous pelecypod shells, and smaller amounts of a poor grade petrified wood.
Locality 10: Map C17. Etzikom Coulee, which is south of Foremost, contains occasional dinosaur bone
fragments and agatized wood. Look for them in the erosional debris at the base of bedrock slopes.
(Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 11: Map C19. The entire badlands area around Drumheller is good to look for wood fragments.
(Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 12: Map C19. Cross the Red Deer River to the east side, then take the road downstream along
the river valley to East Coulee. 20 km from Drumheller, stop at the picnic shelter. Within .8 km walking
distance, are hoodoos, petrified forest, oyster beds, fossilized sequoia cones (in river banks and road
banks). Although Juniper root is not actually fossil hunting material, it is of interest to many people. It
occurs along rock ledges in this area. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 13: Map C19 & 36. Northwest of Drumheller, and just west of Munson, is a ferry crossing the
Red Deer River. Stop at the campsite just east of the bridge. Petrified wood and dinosaur bones are
found at the base of the cliffs in this area. A duck-billed dinosaur, Edmontosaurus, was found just east of
here in 1923. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 14: No map. Fragments of petrified wood are abundant along the shores of Gull Lake, except at
Aspen Beach where they have long since been picked up.
Locality 15: Map C20. This is actually a number of localities. Agatized wood occurs in the gravel pits
along the river just northeast of Edmonton. Take highway No. 16 East, and turn north on the first road
going north. Be sure to obtain permission to enter private pits, but Alberta Government pits are open to
the public, except around men and machinery. The alleys and roads of the Edmonton area are gravelled
from these pits. It is possible to find numerous pieces of agatized wood simply by looking in the back
alleys. (Nielsen, 1977)
58
Locality 16: Map C20, Gravel bars along the north side of the North Saskatchewan River by Edmonton
near Storyland Valley Zoo contain agatized wood. Most gravel bars along the river from Devon in the
west to Fort Saskatchewan in the east contain wood opal, agatized wood, and carbonized wood. The
same portion of the river was dredged extensively for gold in the late 19th century. Some gold is still
recovered by panning in the devon area, but quantities are very small. (Nielsen, 1977)
Locality 17: Map C5 & C39. Take Hwy. 2A over Red Deer River toward the town of Blackfalds. After
1 km, continue to Hwy. 597; turn right on Hwy. 597. After 3 km, take first right on county road. After 5
more km, cross railroad tracks. After 1 last km, take first right after railroad tracks to Burbank-Blindman
collecting localities. The sites lie along the north and east banks of the Blindman and Red Deer Rivers
starting on the Blindman River several km above its mouth and extending approximately 1.9 km
downstream. These localities are very well known for their fossil leaves. (Taylor & Stockey, 1984 and
Speirs, 1988 for more information). The fossil leaves occur with other plant fossils in a layer of light
gray montmorillonitic shale that varies from 3-30 cm in thickness. The level of the fossil bearing shale
above the river varies from 1 metre on the Blindman River to 5 metres on the Red Deer River. The bed
overlies a 10 cm coal seam and is in turn overlain by a bed of crumbly montmorillonitic claystone
averaging 1 metre in thickness. In the sandstone beds above, Gingko as well as Cercidiphyllum fruits
and various seeds are common. Please note that the same restrictions as for locality 19 stand true for this
locality. Here is a list of the most common fossil plants:
PLANTS
Equisetales Dicotyledoneae
Equisetum arcticum Cercidiphyllaceae
Cercidiphyllum flexuosum
Filicales
Osmunda macrophylla Platanaceae
Dennstaedtia bloomstrandii Platanus reynoldsii
Lastria goldiana
Caprifoliaceae
"Viburnum" cupanioides
Ophioglossales
Onoclea hesperia Juglandaceae
Carya antiquorum
Coniferales
Taxodiaceae Celastraceae
Glyptostrobus europaeus Celastrinites insignis
Salicaceae
Anthophyta "Populus" penhallowii
Monocotyledoneae
Zingiberaceae Vitaceae
Zingiberopsis attenuata Rhamnites ovatus
Alismaceae Lauraceae
Alismaphyllites grandifolium "Sassafras" thermale
59
unidentified genus and species
Incertae sedis Bisonalveus cf. B. browni
new ovate, dentate leaf with suprabasal Aphronorus sp.
acrodomous venation.
Insectivora
TETRAPODS Leptacodon tener
Nyctitherium sp.
There have been a number of tetrapods reported Litolestes ignotus
from several localities along the Blindman River. Litolestes notissimus
A short list follows: McKennatherium ladae
Pararyctes pattersoni
Amphibia Gelastops sp.
Anura
unidentified genus and species Dermoptera
Elpidophorus elegans
Urodela
Opisthotriton sp. Primates
Scapherpeton sp. Plesiadapsis rex
Elphidotarsius n. sp.
Reptilia Carpodaptes hazelae
Chelonia Saxonella sp.
Palaeobaena sp. Picrodux silberlingi
Trionyx sp. Ignacius frugivorus
Eosuchia Carnivora
Champsosaurus sp. Protictis tenuis
Micromomys n. sp.
Lacertilia
Palaeosaniwa sp. Condylarthra
Odaxosaurus sp. Chriacus cf. C. pelvidens
Arctocyonidae n. gen. and sp.
Mammalia Ectocion wyomingensis
Multituberculata "Diacodon" minutus
Ptilodus montanus
Neoplagiaulax cf. N. hunteri Pantodonta
Neoplagiaulax cf. N. hazeni Titanoides sp.
Mimetodon silberlingi Cyriacotherium sp.
Microcosmodon woodi
Marsupicarnivora
Peradectes elegans
Proteutheria
Propalaeosinopa albertensis
Pantolestidae
60
Locality 18: Map C8 & C22. The Genesee locality (Paskapoo Formation) consists of exposed beds on
the south bank of the Saskatchewan River, approximately 72 km from Edmonton. Plant fossils occur in a
fine grained shale interbedded by coal seams and bentonitic clay. (Taylor & Stockey, 1984).
Locality 19: No map. (Speirs, 1988) Joffre Bridge area located 14 km east of downtown Red Deer. In
order for you to collect at this locality it is imperative that you abide by Alberta laws as it paertains to
palaeontological excavations, as well as the conditions of collecting permits. In practice, this means that
rare and unique specimens including plants, insects, fish, and most mammal specimens be deposited in
the collections of the University of Alberta. The majority of specimens which will be found however,
will probably not be subject to those restrictions. It must be understood that collecting in this area is
being actively worked by scientific purposes.
The evidence of the fossil mammals at present favors a middle Tiffanian age for the Joffre Bridge fossil
localities (Paskapoo Formation). They occur just upstream from the bridge on both sides of the river. On
the left bank, fish and tetrapod remains occur in mollusk-rich calcareous claystone, and in coal layers
about half-way up the bank. On the right bank, the fossils occur at several horizons in a large road cut.
The vertebrate remains are almost all disarticulated. Shallow-water conditions are suggested by the
presence of the mollusks, the numerous insects, and the presence of seedlings among the plants. The
following is a list of the most common fossil taxa occuring in the Paskapoo Formation in the vicinity of
Red Deer.
PLANTS Araceae
Shale layer Porosia verrucosa (seeds)
Hepatophyta (liverwort)
Equisetales Incertae sedis
Equisetum sp. unidentified monocot remains
Filicales Dicotyledonae
Woodwardia sp. Ulmaceae
Osmunda sp. Chaetoptelea microphylla (leaves)
Salviniales Cercidiphyllaceae
Azolla sp. Cercidiphyllum sp. (leaves, twigs,
fruits, seeds, flowers, seedlings)
Coniferales
Taxodiaceae Platanaceae
Glyptostrobus sp. (leaves, twigs, cones) Platanus nobilis
Metasequoia sp. (leaves) Platanus quillaminii (seedlings,
cotyledons)
Anthophyta
Monocotyledonae Aceraceae
Sparganiaceae Acer sp. (winged fruits and leaves)
Sparganium sp. (fruits)
Caprifoliaceae
61
"Viburnum" cupanioides (leaves) "Viburnum" cupanioides (leaves)
Incertae sedis Incertae sedis

unidentified dicot leaves, cone-like cone-like fruits, dicot leaves, monocot
fruits, striated leaves,
seeds, rhizome, unidentified flowers.
INSECTS
Mollusk Layer
Ginkgoales At Joffre Bridge, most insects come from the pale
Ginkgo sp. (leaves) shale layer. By far the most abundant insect
fossils are elytra of beetles (Coleoptera).
Coniferales Larvae:
Taxodiaceae Trichoptera (caddisflies)
Glyptostrobus sp. (leaves) unidentified cases
Metasequoia sp. (cones and leaves)
Pupae:
Anthophyta Diptera (flies)
Dicotyledonae Tipulidae (crane flies)
Cercidiphyllaceae
Cercidiphyllum sp. (leaves) Adults:
Odonata
Platanaceae Anisoptera (dragonflies)
Platanus nobilis Aeschnidae
Unidentified
Caprifoliacear
"viburnum" cupanioides Zygoptera (damselflies)
Lestinoidea
Incertae sedis unidentified
Unidentified fruits and seeds, dicot
leaves, rhizome Orthoptera
Hagloidea
Prophalangopsidae
Siliceous Layer Albertoilus cervirufi
Coniferales
Taxodiaceae Coleoptera (beetles)
Glyptostrobus sp. (leaves) Unidentified elytra
Metasequoia sp. (leaves)
Trichoptera (Caddisflies)
Cercidiphyllaceae Psychomyiidea
Cercidiphyllum sp. (leaves) Phylocentropus
Caprifoliaceae
62
FISHES Asineopidae
cf. Asineops sp.
It is now known that a diverse teleostean fauna is
represented in the Paskapoo Formation at a large
number of sites, including Joffre Bridge. The TETRAPODS
fishes are very abundant, although disarticulated,
at the Joffre Bridge sites on the left bank of the At present, the Paskapoo Formation has yielded a
river, and the Joffre Bridge road cut sites also fauna of tetrapods that is unique in the quality of
contain much the same assemblage of fishes. An preservation, and that includes not only fishes, but
extensive layer of complete fish of the salamanders, frogs, turtles, lizards, champsosaurs,
Percopsidae (trout-perches) was discovered in crocodiles, birds and mammals. Most of the
1987 just above the plant bearing horizon. mammalian fossils from the Joffre Bridge locality
come from a thin dark shale beneath a massive
Ginglymodi sandstone approximately 12 metres below the leaf
Lepisosteidae (gars) horizons. These shales are mostly lacking
unidentified molluscan shells, are poorly bedded and contain
relatively abundant remains of the holostean fish
Halecomorphi Amia. The mammalian fossils consist mostly of
Amiiformes isolated teeth; jaw fragments with teeth are
Amiidae (bowfins) common, and most of the species represented are
Kindleia fragosa small, approximately shrew-like in body size.
Teleostei Multituberculata
Osteoglossomorpha (bony tongues) Neoplagiaulax cf. N. hunteri
Osteoglossidae Neoplagiaulax cf. N. hazelae
cf. Phareodus sp. Mimetodon silberlingi
Ptilodus cf. P. montanus
Hiodontidae (mooneyes) Prochetodon n. sp.
cf. Eohiodon sp.
Marsupialia
Ostariophysi Peradectes elegans
Gonorynchidae (sand-eels)
Notogoneus sp. Insectivora
cf. McKennatherium ladae
Cyprinoidea (minnows and suckers) "Diacodon" minutus
unidentified Leptacdon tener
Litolestes notissimus
Protacanthopterygii Propalaeosinopa albertensis
Esocidae (pikes)
Esox tiemani Palaeoryctidae
unidentified
Paracanthopterygii
Percopsidae (trout-perches) Dermoptera
cf. Amphiplaga sp. Elpidophorus elegans
63
Primates
Ignacius frugivorus
Unidentified
Condylarthra
Arctocyonidae
unidentified
Ectocion wyomingensis
Pantodonta
Titanoides sp.
Locality 20: No map: The area of the badlands from about 13 kms west of Rumsey, eastward to the
Chain lakes is a veritable gold mine for the fossil colector. The most prevalent fossils found include
dinosaur bones, a great deal of petrified wood, plant seeds and gingko trees, oysters and clams and snails
(Lacasse et al., 1978).
64
TRILOBITES (Figure E4)
Cambrian trilobites (Norford, 1962)
Olenellid - about 3.2 km southwest of Mount Simla, Jasper Park.
Zacanthoides cnopus - from unnamed shale, Windsor Mountain
Hyolithes cecrops - from unnamed shale, Windsor Mountain
Vanuxemella nortia - from Ross Lake shale, near Ross Lake, Banff Park.
Glossopleura boccar - mountain between forks of south branch of Snake Indian River, Jasper Park.
Araphoia elongata - Sullivan Formation, Glacier valley, Banff Park.
Goosia albertensis - Sullivan Formation, Glacier valley, Banff Park.
Goosia canadensis - Sullivan Formation, Glacier valley, Banff Park.
Araphoia albertensis - Sullivan Formation, Glacier valley, Banff Park.
Tricrepicephalus - Lynx Formation, about 275 metres above base in stratigraphic section near Snake
Indian River, Jasper Park.
TRILOBITE BY LOCALITIES:
Locality 1: Profiles D28, D29. Mount Wilson: Hike up the cirque in the mountainside. Trilobites and
other marine fossils can be found there.
Locality 2: No map. Driving west from Banff on Highway 1A, at a point about 4.8 kms south of Lake
Louise Station, you will pass a small lake on your right. To the left of this lake is a monument marking
the only early Cambrian Intrusion into the later formation which created the Rocky Mountains. Though
small in area, this bluff displays a few of the earliest known fossil types, mainly small marine trilobites,
but they may not be removed.
A whole range of Cambrian trilobites can be found on Stephen Mountain, Mount Wapta, Mount
Field and Mount Odaray, British Columbia (Appendix J), by the town of Field, but access is
possible only with special permission from the Government of Canada. You can arrange to join an
organized hike into the area by contacting Yoho National Park, P.O. Box 99, Field, B.C., V0A 1G0
(604) 343-6324.
65
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67
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Storer, J.E. (1978). Tertiary sands and gravels in Saskatchewan and Alberta: correlation of
mammalian faunas. In: Western and Arctic Canadian Biostratigraphy. GAC, Special Paper Number
18
Taylor G.C. (June 1982). Geological guide to the central and southern Rocky Mountains of Alberta
and British Columbia. CSPG - AAPG.
70
Taylor Thomas N., Stockey Ruth A. (August 19-22, 1984) Second International Organization of
Palaeobotany Conference, FIELD TRIP GUIDE
Thompson, R.L. and Axford,D.W. (1953) Notes on the Cretaceous of Southwestern Alberta. Third
Annual Field conference and Symposium Guidebook, Edited by J.C. Sproule & J.C. Scott. Pgs. 33-59
Tidwell, William D. (1975). Common fossil plants of western North America. Brigham Young
University Press, Provo, Utah. 197 pages.
Tippett Clint, Johnson Steve, Root Kevin (June 16-19, 1991). Structural and Stratigraphic overview
of the southern Canadian Rocky Mountains. CSPG field trip PM-2
Tozer E.T. (1962). Illustrations of Canadian Fossils: Triassic of western and Arctic Canada. GSC
Paper 62-19
Wall, John H. and Sweet, Arthur R. (1982) Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene stratigraphy,

micropaleontology and palynology of the Bow Valley area, Alberta. Presented at the AAPG annual
convention, June 27-30. CSPG trip no. 10 field trip guidebook.
Ward, Grant; Vendervelde, Rene and Pare, Pierre (1982). Macro - palaeo, Bearpaw formation,
Southern Alberta. Field trip guidebook, AAPG annual convention, CSPG trip no.11, pp. 1 - 31
Wight, Willow (1981). Korite -- Fossil ammonite shell from Alberta, Canada. The journal of
gemnology and proceedings of the gemnological association of Great Britain. april Vol XVII no.6
pp.406 - 415
Wilson, M.C and Hardy K.J. (1987) The archeology of the Calgary area, Alberta. In: The Geology
of the Calgary Area, Edited by L.E. Jackson & M.C. Wilson, Published by CSPG. Chapter 12, Pgs.
129 - 142.
Wright Marsha E. (1982). Calgary to Eisenhower Junction, structural and startigraphic overview.
AAPG Convention. CSPG field trip No. 12.
Wright-Broughton C., Chamney T.P., Hennessey W.J., Eccles J.K., Brady W.B. (1970). A
geological guide along the highways between Drumheller, Calgary and Lake Louise. For AAPG &
Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists. Published by ASPG.
71
SUGGESTED LITERATURE
All articles in GEOS Vol.18, No. 3, Summer 1989, (Vegetations and climate through times in
Canada).
Arkell, W.J. (?????) Introduction to Mesozoic Ammonoidea, Mesozoic ammonoidea, In: Treatise on
Invertebrate Palaeontology, editor: Moore, Part L: Mollusca 4, (cephalopoda, ammonoidea) pp.81-129
Broughton, Paul L. (1981). Casts of vertebrate internal organs from the upper Cretaceous of Western
Canada. Journal of geology, vol.89. pp.741-749. Department of Mineral resources, Regina,
Saskatchewan
Canadian Rockhound at: http://www.canadianrockhound.com/
Carroll, Robert L. (1988). Vertebrate Palaeontology and Evolution. W.H. Freeman and Company,
New York. 720 p. 1538 illustrations.
Crockford, M.B.B. and Clow, W.H.A. (1965). Upper Cretaceous formations of the Cypress Hills -
Milk River area, Southeastern Alberta and Southwestern Saskatchewan. Alberta Society of Petroleum
Geologists, 15th annual field conference guidebook, Part 1, Cypress Hills Plateau. pp.184-197
Dean, W.T. (1989). Trilobites from the Survey Peak, Outram and Skoki Formations (Upper Cambrian
- Lower Ordovician) at Wilcox Pass, Jasper National Pass, Alberta. In: Geological Survey of Canada,
Bulletin 389.
Dolphin, D.R. and Klovan, J.E (1978). Saskatchewan River crossing, Upper Devonian. Canadian
Society of Petroleum Geologists, Field guide to Rock formations of Southern Alberta. pp.24-27
Donaldson Doug (January 26, 1990). Cosmic Lawnmower. In: Calgary Herald, Page ???
Fox, Richard C. (1970). A bibliography of Cretaceous and Tertiary Vertebrates from Western
Canada. Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology, Vol. 18 No. 2 p. 263-281
Hamblin, A.P. (1978) Banff traffic circle. In: Field guide to rock formation of southern Alberta.
CSPG pp.53-57
Harrison, R. (1978) Kicking Horse Pass/spiral tunnels area. In: Field guide to rock formations of
Southern Alberta, CSPG pp.8-10
Hofman, H.J. (1971). Precambrian fossils, pseudofossils, and problematica in Canada. In:
Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin 189.
Johnson, Hope, and Storer, John E. (1974). A guide to Alberta Vertebrate Fossils from the Age of
Dinosaurs. Provincial Museum of Alberta. Publication No. 4.
72
Kuhn-Schnyder, Emil and Rieber, Hans (1986). Handbook of Paleozoology. Paleontological

Institute and Museum of the University of Zurich. Translated by Emil Kucera. 394 pages.
Lacasse L.J. and Roebuck, J. (1978) Fossils of Alberta. Hallamshire Publishers. pp.1-42
Macqueen,R.W. and Dolph, J. (1978) Moose mountain. In: Field guide to rock formations of
southern Alberta CSPG pp.37-39
McLaren, D.J. (1952). Summary of the devonian stratigraphy of the Alberta Rocky Mountains.
pp.89-104
Nelson S.J. (1970). The Face of Time. Published by Alberta Society of Petroleum Geologists
Nelson S.J. (1984). Geological history of the Interior Plains. The Journal of the Canadian Plains
Research centre. Vol.9, No.2. P.159-180.
Norris, A.W. Vyeno, T.T (1981). Stratigraphy and Palaeontology of the Lowermost upper Devonian
Slave point Formation on Lake Claire and the lower Upper Devonian Waterways Formation on Birch
River, N.E. Alberta. In: Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin 334.
Norris, A.W. (1983). Brachiopods from the lower Upper Devonian Waterways Formation of N.E.
Alberta. Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin 350.
------------ (1983). Biostratigraphy and palaeontology of middle - upper Devonian Boundary Beds,
Gypsum Cliffs area, N.E. Alberta. In: Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin 313.
Riccardi, A.C. (1983). Scaphitids from the Upper Campanian - Lower Maastrichtian Bearpaw
Formation of the Western Interior of Canada. In: Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin 354.
Romer, A.S. (1966). Vertebrate Palaeontology. The University of Chicago Press. Chicago. 468p.
Russel, D. (1968). A census of Dinosaur specimens collected in western Canada. National museum of
Canada natural history papers. pp.1-13
Stanley Steven (aout 1984). Les extinctions massives dans les oceans. Dans: Pour la Science No.82,
P. 38-47
Storer J.E. (1972). Fossils from the Tyndall Formation, Manitoba ??? Fossil invertebrates in building
stone at the Provincial Museum and archives of Alberta.
Taquet Philippe (septembre 1979). Le regne des dinosaures. Dans: Pour la Science, No.23, P.72-90
Tippett C.R. (1986?) The Foothills belt and its structurally - controlled gas and oil fields. In: ?????
chapter 6, pp. 65 - 79
73
Unknown (October 12, 1990) Fossil of oldest known bird that lived in trees found. Calgary Herald,
Page C16
Weishampel, David B., Dodson, Peter, and Osmolska, Halszka (1990). The Dinosauria. 745
pages. (ISBN-0-520-06726-6, Cdn$104).
Wellnhofer, Dr. Peter (1991). The illustrated Encyclopedia of Pterosaurs. Salamander Books,
London. ???p. (600 pictures: 255 photographs, 250 skeleton drawings, 100 explanatory diagrams).
$25.00
Wilson, M.C. (1987) Geological history of the Bow River valley in the Calgary region. In: ??????
chapter 10, CSPG, pp.109-120
74
APPENDIX A
SELF GUIDED GEOLOGICAL & PALAEONTOLOGICAL WALKING-

TOUR OF BUILDING STONES IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA OF
CALGARY
How often do you notice the facing and building stones you walk by each day? There is a world of
rocks at eye level awaiting your attention. The following brief notes illustrate the great diversity of
rock types in the downtown core and stress the fossil occurrences. These range from Tertiary
Paskapoo sandstones quarried within a few blocks of where they now lie, to Precambrian granites from
Finland. (This is an update of Mr. Sabey's 1986 original report).
1. THE PARISIAN 106 - 8th Avenue S.E.

Rock Type Fossiliferous Limestone
Place of origin Morocco
Age Palaeozoic
Trade Name
Comments - pink-brown limestone
- abundant stylolites
- abundant brachiopod shells (spiriferid)
- geopetals indicate up and down
2. CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE 101 8th Avenue S.E.

A. Wainscotting
Rock Type Granite
Place of origin India
Age ?
Trade Name Carnation Red Granite
Comments - True Granite
- coarsed grained
- red color due to abundance of potassium
feldspar
- milky blue quartz
- zoned feldspar
- euhedral feldspar crystals
- slightly foliated
B. Upper portion
Rock Type Limestone
Place of origin Tyndall, Manitoba (20 miles N.E./Winnipeg)
Age Upper Ordovician (Red River Formation)
Trade Name Tyndall Stone
Comments - Light grey-brown mottling
75
- Fossiliferous including:
Receptaculites (Sunflower coral) Algae
Grewginka - horn coral
Paleophyllum - colonial coral
Favistella - colonial coral
Favosites - colonial coral
Manipora - chain coral
Catenipora - chain coral
Maclurites - flat spiraled gastropods
Hormotoma - gastropod
Winnipegoceras - cephalopod
Orthocone cephalopod and several types
of brachiopods.
- mottled appearance due to selective
dolomitization of burrows (darker
mottling)
3. ROYAL BANK 102 - 8th Avenue S.W.

Rock Type Sandstone
Place of origin Simons Valley Quarry N.E. Calgary
Age Tertiary (Paskapoo)
Trade Name
Comments - High angle cross bedding
- planed ripples resulting from quarrying
- soft sediment deformation
- climbing ripples
4. LOUGHEED HOME 130 - 8th Avenue S.W.

Rock Type Marble
Place of origin Verona, Italy
Age Triassic
Trade Name Breccia Oriciato
Comments - brecciated marble
- rich red on part
- calcite veining
- the rock has been quartered when cut and
laid edge to edge to form a symmetrical
diamond form patterns
- stylolites
5. THE BANKE (Old Bank of Nova Scotia) 125 - 8th Avenue S.W.
Rock Type Calcarenite
Place of origin Germany
Age Palaeozoic
Trade Name ??
76
Comments - grey-brown
- burrowed calcarenite
- composed of crinoid ossicles, fenestrate
bryozoan and shell fragments
- some blocks show planar bedding
6. BANK OF MONTREAL 140 - 8th Avenue S.W.

A. Wainscotting
Rock Type Granite
Place of origin Quebec
Age Precambrian
Trade Name Stanstead Granite
Comments - light grey micaceous granite
- axe dressed
- equigranular with anhedral crystals
B. Upper Portion
Rock Type Tyndall Stone (See #2B)
Place of origin
Age
Trade Name
Comments - abundant fossils, especially
Recepticulites, Hormotoma and Orthocones
7. THE BAY 200 - 8th Avenue S.W.

columns
Rock Type Stanstead Granite (See #6A)
8. ROYAL BANK BUILDING + BANKERS HALL 335 8th Avenue S.W.

A. most part of building
Rock Type Granite
Place of origin Sassari, Sardinia
Age Palaeozoic
Trade Name ??
Comments Different than # 10
B. Bottom
Comments Same as # 12
9. BIRKS (TORONTO DOMINION SQUARE)

Rock Type Travertine
Place of origin Bari, Italy
Age Cretaceous
Trade Name Serpeggiante de trani
Comments - finely laminated limestone
- formed by calcareous spring deposits
77
- non-marine
10. TransCanada Pipeline 530 - 8th Avenue S.W.

Rock Type Granite
Age Palaeozoic
Trade Name Granito Grigio Perlato (Luna Pearl)
Comments - True Granite
- light-grey, to pink-grey in color
- large k spar phenocrysts to 1 cm
- abundant large dark mafic materials
11. BANK OF MONTREAL 604 - 8th Avenue S.W.

A. Wainscotting
Rock Type Granite (Carnation red) (See #2A)
B. Upper Portion
12. BARRON BUILDING 610 - 8th Avenue S.W.

Rock Type Gabbro
Place of origin South Africa (Bushveld complex)
Age PreCambrian
Trade Name Africa Black
Comments - chromite inclusion in feldspars lead to
very dark color
- no quartz
- abundant Ca rich feldspars
13. WESTERN CANADIAN PLACE 707 - 8th Avenue S.W.

Rock Type Granite
Age Palaeozoic
Trade Name Rosso Nule
Comments - true granite
- abundant salmon colored potassium
feldspars
- abundant quartz
14. FIRST ALBERTA PLACE 777 - 8th Avenue S.W.

Rock Type Limestone
Place of origin Kasota, Minnesota
Age ?
Trade Name Vetterstone
Comments - finely laminated reddish limestone
78
- numerous small vugs
15. ROYAL BANK 736 - 8th Avenue S.W.

A. Base Boarding
Rock Type Marble
Place of origin Val d'Aosta, Italy
Age Jurassic-Cretaceous
Trade Name Verdi Issoire
Comments - green marble breccia
- quartered display
- floating clasts
- calcite veining
B. Pillars
Rock Type Carnation Red Granite (See #2A)
16. PETROCHEMICAL BUILDING 805 - 8th Avenue S.W.

Rock Type Marble
Place of origin Verona, Italy
Age Triassic
Trade Name Breccia Pernice
Comments - light pink marble breccia
- hughly fractured
- calcite veining
17. GUINNESS HOUSE 706 - 7th Avenue S.W.

Rock Type Alkali Syenite
Place of origin Norway near Oslo Fjord in Larvik District
Age PreCambrian
Trade Name Larvikite
Comments - euhedral feldspars.
- abundant iridescent alkali feldpars.
- steel blue color.
- no free silica therefore no quartz.
- dark color due to mafic material.
18. ENCOR BUILDING 645 7th Avenue S.W.

Rock Type Same as # 30
19. NORTH CANADIAN OILS BUILDING 640 - 5th Avenue S.W

Wainscotting
Rock Type Gabbro (See #12)
20. LAND TITLES BUILDING 620 - 7th Avenue S.W.

A. Wainscotting
Rock Type Granite
79
Place of origin Quebec
Age Precambrian
Trade Name Ecorse de Bouleau (Birch White)
- light grey
- fine grained
- equigranular
B. Upper Portion
Rock Type Tyndall stone (See #2B)
21. MANULIFE BUILDING 603 - 7th Avenue S.W.

Rock Type Gabbro (See #12)
Place of origin ?
Age ?
Trade Name ?
Comments - a dark "Black Granite" with a more bronze
tinge, possibly due to weathered pyrite
22. WESTBURNE BUILDING 535 - 7th Avenue S.W.

A. Wainscotting
Rock Type Granitoid Gneiss
Place of origin ?
Age ?
Trade Name Stanstead (See #6A)
Comments Similar to 6A Stanstead granite with more
foliation and more mafic material
B. Upper Portion
23. GOVERNMENT HOUSE SOUTH

Rock Type Sandstone
Place of origin Big Hill Spring Quarry, North of Cochrane
Age Tertiary (Paskapoo)
Trade Name ?
Comments - orange brown sandstone
- fine to medium grained
24. COURT HOUSE 611 - 4th Street S.W.

A. Inserts between windows
Rock Type Granite
Age Palaeozoic
Trade Name Greggio Sardo
80
- coarse grained with large salmon colored
orthoclase feldspar phenocrysts
- abundant zoned feldspars with k spar
cores and more sodic rims
B.
C.
Rock Type Serpentinite
Place of origin Vermont, U.S.A.
Age ?
Trade Name Verde Antique
Comments - dark green to black in color
- intensely altered igneous rock of basaltic or gabbroic composition.
- calcite veining.
25. BENTALL BUILDING 444 - 7th Avenue S.W. (AMOCO BUILDING)

Rock Type Limestone (marble?)
Place of origin Venice, Italy
Age Triassic
Trade Name Verde Striada
Comments - green laminated Limestone
- metamorphosed to marble?
- minor fracturing with calcite veining
26. EATONS (The Eaton building displays the same stones that were on the old Eaton
demolished in 1988)
4th Street and 7th Avenue S.W.
Rock Type Limestone
Place of origin Tyndall, Manitoba
Age Upper Ordovician
Trade Name Tyndall Stone
Comments (See #2B)
27. BANK OF MONTREAL BUILDING

Rock Type Granite
Age Palaeozoic
Trade Name Blanco Castilla
Comments - another W. Sardinian granite with slight
variation from those previously seen
- more equigranular than greggio Sardo or
Grigio Perlatto
- more grey
81
- less potassium than Greggio Sardo
28. YMCA 332 6th Avenue S.W

A. Wainscotting Stanstead Gneiss (See #22A)
B. Window Trim Tyndall Stone (See #2B)
29. CANTERRA BUILDING 400 3rd Avenue S.W.

Rock Type Alkali Syenite
Comments Same as # 17
30. BP BUILDING 333 - 5th Avenue S.W.

In the Lobby
Rock Type Rapakivi Granite
Place of origin Near Russo-Finnish border on Gulf of Finland - Finland
Age PreCambrian
Trade Name Baltic Brown Granite
Comments - Golf ball or scotch egg texture
- large orthoclase feldspar phenocrysts
mottled with albite or oligoclase rims.
Possibly caused by migration of sodium
from unmixing of perthite
- abundant pyroxene masses
31. CALGARY PETROLEUM CLUB 319 - 5th Avenue S.W.

Rock Type Calcarenite
Place of origin Near Ottawa , Ontario
Age Palaeozoic Ordovician?
Trade Name Rideau Brown
Comments - fossiliferous limestone coquina
- planar bedding
- abundant brachiopod shells and shell
fragments
- brown-red color
- abundant pyrite
32. ALBERTA WHEATPOOL BUILDING 505 - 2nd Street S.W.

Rock Type Fossiliferous Limestone
Place of origin France
Age Devonian?
Trade Name Rouge Royale
Comments - large stromatoporoid (?) fragments in red
brown marl matrix
- foreslope debris
- fractured with calcite veining
82
33. FAMILY LIFE BUILDING 300 - 5th Avenue S.W.
Rock Type Granite
Place of origin Sandrio, Italy
Age Oligocene
Trade Name Rosso Ghiandone
- abundant large orthoclase feldspar Phenocrysts.
- occasional zoned light grey alkali feldspars.
- abundant quartz.
- large mafic blebs with some weathering.
- best polished surfaces are in the lobby.
34. PETRO CANADA BUILDING 117 5th Avenue S.W.

A. Darker zone
Rock Type Granite
Place of origin Finland
Age Precambrian
Trade Name Tavasallo Red
Comments - abundant lath shaped potassium feldspars.
- occasional simple twinning in k spars.
- minor quartz crystals.
- some perthitic feldspars?
- higher abundance of mafics and less quartz than in lighter stone.
B. Lighter Stone
Rock Type Granite
Place of origin Spain
Age PreCambrian
Trade Name Spanish Red
1) note assimilation tracks where more mafic xenoliths are digested in
the granitic melt and leave darker streaks.
2) same grain size as above
=====================================================
NOTES:
1) Calgary was nicknamed "Sandstone city" by 1886, three years after the town site had been
surveyed.
2) The city's first sandstone quarry was located on the Elbow River near today's Glencoe Club in
Elbow Park. It was operated by future mayor Wesley Orr.
3) Knox Presbyterian Church, at the corner of 7th Avenue and Centre Street S.W. was built in 1887
and was the town's first large sandstone structure.
83
4) Sandstone for Calgary's first library building, still standing in Memorial Park, came from the Oliver
Quarry, now the substructure for the Crowchild Trail.
5) Oliver's stone, along with some from the Nose Creek Symons Valley deposits, built the City Hall
that opened in 1911.
6) The Calgary Court House and the Legislature Building in Edmonton were started in 1910 with
sandstone from the Glenbow Quarry, located on the rail line between Cochrane and Calgary. But the
buildings were completed with stone from Ohio, a move that made pro-Albertans of the day stony-
faced with resentment.
7) The Palliser Hotel was built with sandstone from Indiana, considered by masons at the time to be
among the world's finest.
8) Stone for Heritage Hall at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology was quarried in 1921, from
the banks of Big Hill Creek west of Cochrane. It was one of the last projects using sandstone. By the
time, the stone had been replaced by bricks and other less expensive and more easily obtainable
construction materials.
9) In 1986, McDougall School, at 412-7th St. S.W., was renovated and became the provincial
government's headquarters in southern Alberta. The sandstone was blasted from a quarry on the bank
of the Bow River near Lethbridge. They shipped the rough, car-sized blocks by train to New
Brunswick where workers there used a special saw to cut the stone to size.
84
APPENDIX B
TOUR OF GEOLOGICAL & PALAEONTOLOGICAL DISPLAYS IN THE

CALGARY AREA.
Agat Laboratories 3801 - 21st Street N.E.
In its lobby, Agat displays various marine and land fossils as well as some minerals.
Cabre Exploration Limited 1400, 700 - 9th Avenue S.W
In its lobby, Cabre has on display some specimen of dinosaur bones, oyster shells (like those at
localities 15 & 18 in the dinosaur section), a pyritized brachiopod, Horn corals and other varieties,
bottled oil samples from numerous Cabre wells, and various crystals of minerals
Calgary Airport
A specimen of Lambeosaurus is displayed on the third floor. Courtesy of The Royal Tyrrell Museum
of Palaeontology.
Geomania 201, 315 - 8th Avenue S.W. (Bankers Hall +15)
This is a public store in which the customer is offered a wide range of fossil and mineral specimens
coming from several worldwide localities.
Green's Rock & Lapidary Ltd. Bay 6, 3220 5th Avenue N.E.
This is a public store in which the customer is offered a wide range of fossil and mineral specimens
coming from several worldwide localities.
Korite Minerals Ltd. And Canada Fossils Ltd. 532 - 38A Avenue S.E.
This is a private company which supplies stores, museum, and sometimes private collections with
fossils from worldwide localities. In southern Alberta, they own mineral rights on many acreage to
"mine" the ammonites, which are well known for their lapidary quality. They seldom give tours of
their warehouse (which contains beautiful specimens of all sorts of fossils) to "tourists". Serious
buyers are welcome to call (403)287-2026.
85
Sproule & Associates Limited 900, 140 - 4 Avenue S.W.
In their lobby you will see:

· Mammoth tusk Kugaluk River, North West Territories, east of Inuvik
· Male Narwhal skull & tusk Canadian Arctic
· Muskog skull Canadian Arctic
· Walrus skull Canadian Arctic
· Muskox Skull Canadian Arctic
· Whale vertebra Canadian Arctic
· Ammonite Deer Bay Formation (Cretaceous-Jurassic), Ellef Ringnes
island
· Ammonite Christopher Formation (Cretaceous), Ellef Ringnes island
· Coral Favosites sp., Streptelasma sp., Amlexus CF. Propinquus
Roulsen?, Rovringerella sp.,
Allen Bay Formation (Silurian), Griffith island
The mammoth tusk was found by pilot Ron Wells who was on a routine flight to J.C. Sproule and
Associates Limited camp on the Anderson River on august 1959.
Stampede Oils Inc. 1700, 520 - 5th Avenue S.W
In its lobby, Stampede Oils displays a large fossilized tree trunk (1m X 0.3m) as well as various types
of minerals.
University of Calgary 2500 University Drive
A pair of partial Cretaceous reptile skeletons (Plesiosaurus sp. and Struthiomimus altus) are displayed
on the main floor of the Biological Sciences building, just outside of the department of Biological
Sciences office.
Dr. Elizabeth L. Nicholls, from the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, collected the plesiosaur
in 1973. It is from the lower part of the Fernie Formation, and is Liassic (Lower Jurassic) in age. It is
geologically the oldest specimen of a plesiosaur ever found in North America (most north American
plesiosaurs are from the Cretaceous). It was collected in the foothills of Southern Alberta, near
Livingston Falls, west of the willow creek area. The specimen consists of a partially articulated
vertebral column and scattered limb elements. The skull is absent, but was reconstructed in the
mounted display. Collection and preparation of the specimen was funded by the Devonian Group of
Charitable Foundations. (E.L. Nicholls, 1976)
Dr. Nicholls collected the Struthiomimus in 1980, from the Oldman Formation at Jenner, Alberta. It is
consequently Upper Cretaceous in Age. The specimen consists of articulated limbs and girdles. The
skull and vertebral column are absent. This work was financed by the University of Calgary. Dr.
86
Nicholls can be contacted at 294-1992. (E.L. Nicholls, A.P. Russell, 1981)
A small display of Burgess shale fossils (Cambrian Period) is present just outside of the Gallagher
Library of Geology in the Earth Sciences building. (Courtesy of Jim Gardner from the University).
87
Macrofossils: Their localities in Alberta, Canada
APPENDIX C
MAPS
88
http://leblanc.jacques.googlepages.com/fossilhome
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
Map C46 : Location map of traffic circle outcrop near Banff
Map C47: Distribution of plateau-capping sands and gravels in Alberta and Southwest
Saskatchewan
112
Map C48: Geology around Lake Minnewanka, close to Banff
113
APPENDIX D
Some mountain profiles and their geological interpretation
Profile D1: Mount Yamnuska showing the McConnell thrust as viewed from Trans Canada
Highway (Price et al. 1981)
Profile 2a : View north of Grotto Mountain near Canmore
114
Profile D2b : Grotto mountain. Northwest view from behind rock with Indian paintings. (Sketch
by S. Boehrnsen, interpretation by O.G. Burrowes and G.E. Vecsey)
Profile D3 : Sketch of Exshaw thrust in Heart Mountain from north side of Bow River (Price et
al, 1981)
115
Profile D4 : Sketch of Lac des Arcs thrust from the south side of Lac des Arcs (Price et al, 1981)
Profile D5 : The Three Sisters from the Trans Canada Highway near Canmore (Price et al, 1981)
116
Profile D6 : The Rundle thrust sheet at White Man Gap from the Trans Canada Highway near
Canmore (Price et al, 1981)
Profile D7 : Cairn Formation viewed from upper Grassi Lake (Sketch by S. Boehrnsen,
Interpretation by O.G. Burrowes and G.E. Vecsey)
117
Profile D8 : Cascade Mountain from the Trans Canada Highway east of Cascade River near
Banff (Price et al, 1981)
Profile D9 : South end of Sawback Range, view from the Trans Canada Highway at the Healey
Creek Overflow campground (Price et al, 1981)
118
Profile D10 : Castle Mountain, view northwest from Trans Canada Highway (Price et al, 1981)
Profile D11: Sketch of Mount Norquay near Banff
119
Profile D12 : Chinaman’s peak and Spray lakes near Canmore
Profile D13 : View south of Sulphur Mountain at Banff
Profile D14 : Looking across Bow River 100 metres downstream of Bow Falls in Banff
120
Profile
D15:
Loder’s Lime Kiln – Fairholme Range, Kananaskis
Profile D16 : View northwest across Barrier Lake, Kananaskis
121
Profile D17 : Mount Lorette, Kananaskis
Profile D18: Mount Allan to Mount Lougheed, Kananaskis
122
Profile D19 : Mount Kidd (or Ribbon Creek South), Kananaskis
Profile D20: Ribbon Creek North, Kananaskis
Profile D21 : Highwood Pass, Kananaskis
123
Profile D22 : Mount Invicible and Mount Warspite at Lower Kananaskis Lake
Profile D23 : Sketch of Turtle Mountain and the Frank Slide, Southern Alberta
Profile D24 : Sketch looking Northwest to Crowsnest Mountain from Highway West of Coleman
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Profile D25 : Sketch looking North across Crowsnest Lake, Southern Alberta
Profile D26 : Banff-Exshaw contact on South Side of road at Crowsnest Lake, Southern Alberta
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Profile D27: Northwest end of Tangle Ridge from highway 93
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Profile D28 : Northwest slope of Mount Wilson from Highway 93
Profile D29 : Mount Wilson, view from south on Highway 93 passed highway11
(Aitken et al, 1978)
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Profile D30 : Cirrus Mountain from Highway 93 at the “Big Hill” (Price et al)
Profile D31 : Northwest view of the “Big Hill”, Saskatchewan Crossing, Jasper Park
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Profile D32 : View up the North Saskatchewan River from Whirlpool Point
Profile D33 : Northwest slope of Mount Murchison from Highway 93 at Mount Wilson
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Profile D34 : View north along Simpson thrust from Peyto Lake Viewpoint
Profile D35: Mount Mistaya from Peyto Lake Viewpoint
Profile D36 : Chetamon Mountain, Jasper Park
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Profile D37 : Roche Miette, Jasper Park
Profile D38 : Roche Ronde, Jasper Park
Profile D39 : Roche à Bosche, Jasper Park
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Profile D40 : Boule Range, Jasper Park
Profile D41 : Northwesterly plunging parallel folds in the Boule Range viewed from Pocahontas,
Jasper Park
Profile D42 : Roche à Perdrix, in the Boule range, Jasper Park
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Profile D43 : Roche Bonhomme, Jasper Park
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APPENDIX E
Fossil Sketches
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135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
Figure E12a :Angiospermophyta (Tidwell 1970)
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Figure E12b :Angiospermophyta (Tidwell 1970)
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Figure E12c :Angiospermophyta (Tidwell 1970)
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Figure E12d :Angiospermophyta (Tidwell 1970)
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Figure E12e :Angiospermophyta (Tidwell 1970)
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148
149
150
APPENDIX F
Primitive life in Canada stamps
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APPENDIX G
(From the Alberta Palaeontological Society)
Check list of field equipment for fossil collection
Personal: Boots, Bug juice, Comfortable clothing (appropriate for weather), Belt,
Hat(s), Handkerchief/Bandanna, Survival kit, Bandages, Antibiotic cream,
Tensor bandage, Food, Snacks, Liquids, Canteen - plastic, Watch, Short
length light rope (3mm), Bum pad, Shelter, Matches, Rain gear, Jacket and
pants, Heavy leather gloves.
Collecting: Packsack, Topographic/Geologic/Surficial maps, Air photographs, Field

notebook, Pens, Pencil, Permanent markers, eraser, Camera, Film and
accessories, Hammer (geologic), Hammer (trim), Hammer (mallet), Hammer
(sledge), Pry bar, Hand lens, Field microscope, Case for maps and photos,
Cold chisel, Compass (Brunton or orienteering), Drawing board, Map scales
(metric & imperial), Hydrochloric acid, Flagging tape, Binoculars, Liquid
latex for casting, Packing for samples, Sample bags (paper, plastic or cloth),
Straight edge, Protractor, Pocket knife, Belt knife, References, Tracing paper,
String, Flash Light, Copies of either one of the two blank specimen sheets
provided at the beginning of this report, Macrofossils: Their localities in
Alberta.
Maps and Map Reading for Fossil Collectors

(Alberta Palaeontological Society, Wayne Braunberger, March 20, 1992, and Summarized by
Howard Allen)
Two types of maps can be important resources for fossil collectors, both for pinpointing the
geographic position of known fossil localities, and for finding potential new sites:
Topographic maps use contour lines to represent 3-dimensional surfaces on a 2-dimensional

sheet of paper. These maps are available in several scales. The most useful for our purposes is
the 1:50,000 scale, which is available for almost all of the Canadian land area (similar maps are
available for the USA and other countries). At this scale, one mile on the map is about 1.25
inches (1 km = 2 cm). Useful information printed on these maps include:
North arrows -- show the three "norths" on a map. Magnetic north is where your
compass points. This varies from area to area and from year to year -- a legend on
the map margin tells how to correct for these variations. Grid north is measured
on a uniform, right-angle grid (usually blue) covering the entire map area. This is
the "north" you use to set compass bearings, after correcting for magnetic north.
True north is represented by the lines of longitude, which converge toward the
poles. Surveyed lines (township and section boundaries [normally grey] and grid-
roads common in the prairie provinces) are generally parallel to true north, but
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must make correction "jags" to compensate for the curvature of the earth.
Contour interval -- marked on the bottom of the map, tells the vertical distance
represented between adjacent contour lines. Later Canadian maps are printed in
metric, so be careful when comparing contours on adjacent map sheets, which
may have been printed in different years.
Legend -- various symbols and colours representlandmarks and geographic

features, both natural and manmade.
Several grid systems are used to pinpoint and communicate locations on the map. Each has its
own advantages for different applications:
The National Topographic System (NTS) is used to index entire map sheets,
whose boundaries are parallel to lines of latitude and longitude. A typical NTS
reference such as 83 H/12 refers to a particular 1:50,000 map sheet, and is the
number to quote when ordering maps. Map indexes are available at sales offices
for this purpose.
Latitude and Longitude are expressed in degrees, minutes and seconds, and
marked as alternating black and white lines along the map's margin. Because of
the large size of the units, the lack of a detailed grid on NTS maps, and the small
but significant curvature of these lines, references to this system are often
imprecise. The system is sometimes used in geological publications to refer to
fossil sites, but a reference such as N52°13', W114°22' may be 'out of whack' by
several miles in any direction.
The Township and Range system is used in surveying and legal land descriptions.
It is used in surveyed areas of the Canadian prairie provinces and in the western
U.S. An advantage of this system is that the grid lines are often represented
byphysical features -- grid roads, fence lines, survey stakes -- thus sites mayoften
be relocated quicklyon the ground. Unfortunately, wilderness areas and regions
outside of the prairie provinces, where the system is not used, cannot be
referenced. As well, the grid system is coarse enough that pinpointing localities is
relatively imprecise -- a legal subdivision (Lsd), the smallest grid unit of this
system, is a quarter-mile on a side.
The Universal Transverse Mercator grid (UTM) system is the most precise
method of locating sites on a map. The system uses a uniform square grid (see
grid north, above) of light blue lines, which covers the entire map area (over all of
Canada). Each square is one kilometre (1000m) on a side, and can be subdivided
ten times, for a precision of 100 metres. A legend on the map margin shows the
proper method of pinpointing localities with the UTM system. (To learn more
about the UTM system read more in "The Gusher Newsletter" No. 8, September
1991).
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Topographic maps are available at commercial map dealers and Provincial Government sales
offices (the GSC sales office in Calgary no longer sells topo maps -- you now have to go to
"Maps Alberta, division of Forestry, Land and Wildlife, 703 - 6th Avenue S.W. Calgary T2P
OT9 (403) 297-7389" -- and the same may be true for other GSC offices). A related map series,
the provincial government resource base maps, are updated more frequently, showing all roads,
logging areas, etc... but do not show elevation contours.
Geological maps show the bedrock geology of an area. Different formations are represented
either by colours or by code numbers, and are projected onto a topographic base map, with
contour lines and other topographic symbols. A few different map series may be encountered:
The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) "old" A-series maps (identified by a

letter A after the map's index number) were printed in colour, often using odd
scales, such as 1:253,440 which translates to 1 inch = 4 miles. These older maps
were produced by geologists working on foot or horseback, and often show many
more data points than newer maps. Fossil localities are marked on these maps by
a circled capital F.
GSC "new" A-series maps are also in colour, but use more conventional scales
such as 1:250,000 or 1:50,000. Since much of the data is derived from air-photos,
fewer data points are plotted, and few if any fossil localities are marked.
GSC "Preliminary series" maps are in black and white, with formations identified
by code numbers. Most of these maps were produced prior to the 1970s,
especially during waryears, when rapid exploration for resources was a priority.
As a result of the often hasty work, errors sometimes show up on these maps.
Fossils sites, as in the "old A-series", are marked with a circled F.
Other map series are produced by provincial and state geological surveys and resource
ministries. Geological maps are notorious for going outof print, without being replaced by newer
editions. Coloured maps are almost never reprinted, due to the high cost. The best place to find
these out-of print maps is in map libraries, such as those in universities. Formation boundaries
and fossil localities can be traced from these library maps onto conventional topographic maps
for personal use. Geological maps are often included in Geological Survey reports, which
occasionally appear in used book sales. If you see an old geological map for sale, grab it -- you
are unlikely to see another one for a long time.
Preparation of Fossils from Shales and Limestones

(Alberta Palaeontological Society, April 24, 1992, Wayne Haglund and summarized by Howard
Allen)
Preparation of fossil specimens has evolved over the years from basic picking and chipping
techniques, thanks to technology. Patience, however, remains the key tosuccessful fossil
preparation, regardless of the technique used. Before work is started, it is important to know
some of the properties of the rocks and fossils you are dealing with. Clastic sedimentary rocks
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(sandstones, siltstones, shales) consist of three components:
Mineral grains -- quartz, feldspar, rock fragments, fossil fragments, other

minerals.
Matrix material -- very fine sedimentary material filling the spaces between
grains; usually clay minerals.
Cementing materials -- chemical precipitates that fill additional pore space, and
hold the grains together; generally silica, calcite, dolomite or iron-based minerals.
Rock texture is also an important property; porosity of the rock -- thatis, void spaces left between
grains that were not filled by matrix or cement -- mayindicate how easily preparatory chemicals
(including water) will penetrate the rock. As well, bedding planes may allow the rock tosplit or
chip more easily in a particular direction.
Preparatory techniques may be divided into two general categories -- physical and chemical.
Physical techniques include the use of such tools as:
Hand-held pressure point tools -- dental picks, needles, knives

Vibrating tools: -- electric engravers with pick or chisel points, preferably
interchangeable.
Grinding discs -- electric drill attachments, hobby grinding tools with flexible
shafts, etc...
Sandblasting -- small, hand-held sandblasting tools are available, with abrasive
grits of different hardnesses.
Freezing and heating -- water expands when frozen: water in the pore spaces of a
rock may cause the rock to crumble if subjected to repeated freezing in a home
deep-freeze. This technique works especially well with coarse-grained rocks;
applying a wetting agent (detergent) to the water will allow it to penetrate the rock
more deeply. Heating may also be tried, although with caution, as some rocks
may explode.
Ultrasonic units -- for cleaning jewellry and dentures work well at removing fine
clays and silts from pores and crevices.
Brushes -- including toothbrushes, with the addition of lapidary grit or even
toothpaste.
Chemical techniques involve the use of acids, bases and various solvents:
Hydrochloric (Muriatic) acid -- dissolves calcite and, when heated, dolomite

(good for removing siliceous fossils from limestone.
Oxalic acid -- good for removal of iron minerals, such as limestone.
Acetic acid (Glacial acetic acid) -- also dissolves calcite, but more slowly and
gently; vinegar is weak acetic acid, and works well, especially when warm.
Household lye (potassium hydroxide) -- is good for decomposing clays.
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Organic solvents -- such as Varsol TM or kerosene remove oily or tarry residues.

Water (distilled) -- is called the "universal solvent". Soaking may soften poorly
consolidated rocks; rainwater is a mild acid. Wetting agents such as detergent
improve the penetrating and cleaning power of water.
Industrial detergents -- Quaternary O TM is an excellent agent for breaking down
shales and cleaning clayfrom specimens; unfortunately, this product mayno longer
be available, but substitutes probably exist.
Some of the chemicals used in fossil preparation are potentially dangerous if handled improperly.
Follow common-sense safety rules: wear gloves and goggles where appropriate, keep organic
solvents away from open flames and sparks, and Always Add Acid to water when mixing (and
not water to acid). Fossil preparation need not be expensive. Many of the tools and chemicals
described can be obtained locally from hardware stores and tool suppliers. Given enough TIME
any fossil can be cleaned/prepared to perfection.
Types of Glue (Alberta Palaeontological Society)
The following glues are recommended to stick broken fossil specimens back together:
Epoxy glues (5 minute, 2 ton, 24 hour, Bridge epoxies), "Butvar" (Polyvynil Butyral, B58)
soluble in methanol, Glyptal G-1276 Cement, Vinac (B-15 grade, also called Gelva),
Cyanoacrylates with accelerator (common name "Crazy Glue"), White glue "Presto-set glue",
Lepage's bond fast white glue (non-toxic) can be bought locally, Epoxy Putty (A & B Epoxy
Putty), Body fillers, White Shellac mixed with Methyl Hydrate (can be bought locally), Hair
spray (Emergency only please!), To give a nice shiny lustre to your fossils spray some liquid
plastic (Super urethane) on each one of your clean samples (you can get it at Canadian Tire in the
paint department) and can also use as temporary glue.
Libraries and Palaeontology/Geology
The following is a list of libraries which one should attempt to visit in order to research a subject
that pertains to the sciences of palaeontology or geology (they are listed in no specific order):
1) Main branch of the Calgary and Edmonton Public Libraries,

2) Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in Drumheller (by appointment on weekdays
only: phone 294-1992 from Calgary),
3) University of Calgary (MacKimmie & Gallagher libraries),
4) University of Lethbridge,
5) University of Alberta in Edmonton,
6) University of Athabaska in Fort McMurray,
7) Energy Mines & Resources in Calgary (also in Ottawa)
8) Institute of Sedimentology and Petroleum Geology in Calgary
9) Geological Survey of Canada (EMR, ISPG or GSC, 3303, 33 St N.W. 292-7000),
10) Alberta Research Council in Edmonton (For Geology Journals: 7th floor Terrace Plaza,
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4445 Calgary Trail South 403-438-7628; For Geology Books: Millwood facility, 250
Cardclarck Road, 403-450-5055),
11) Energy Resources Conservation Board in Calgary (ERCB, 640-5th Avenue S.W. 297-
8311),
12) Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists in Calgary (CSPG: #160, 540 – 5th Avenue
SW Calgary T2P 0W7 403-264-5610, Fax=403-264-5898).
13) The Alberta Palaeontological Society also has a small library; their publications,
however, are received on donations only.
14) Mount Royal College library
15) SAIT library.
Except for Public Libraries, you cannot take out books from the above institutions. However, if
you belong to a Public Library, they can arrange for free interlibrary loan service (if you are not
in a hurry).
Identification of Vertebrate Fossils from Published Sources

(Alberta Palaeontological Society)
First, check the most obvious, and handiest (but not all recent) sources, including:
Johnson, Hope, and Storer, John E. 1974. A guide to Alberta Vertebrate Fossils
from the Age of Dinosaurs. Provincial Museum of Alberta. Publication No. 4.
Romer, A.S. 1966. Vertebrate Palaeontology. The University of Chicago Press.

Chicago. 468p.
Norman, David 1985. The illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs. Crescent

Books, New York. 208p.
Carroll, Robert L. 1988. Vertebrate Palaeontology and Evolution. W.H. Freeman

and Company, New York. 720 p. 1538 illustrations.
The latter publication includes new list of all fossil vertebrate genera.
Secondly, If your specimen is not illustrated in one of the above publications, it may be
necessary to search the literature for a more detailed paper. The best papers are those which
describe the species and genera in detail. Older papers and texts on Alberta vertebrate fossils are
fairly easy to find, by using:
Fox, Richard C. 1970. A bibliography of Cretaceous and Tertiary Vertebrates

from Western Canada. Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology, Vol. 18 No. 2 p.
263-281
However, this paper lists only by author, not by subject. Let's take a specific example: You
have a bone which is probably from an ornithonimid; but which one?
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To find a relatively recent paper on ornithonimid dinosaurs, begin with the "Index and
Bibliography of Geology", published by the American Geological Institute. It lists all papers in
the earth sciences by date of publication, author, and subject. It is available to the public at the
MacKimmie library of the University of Calgary, call number: QE 1 G44. In the past it was
published annually, now it is updated monthly. Recent volumes are split into 4 parts, 2 for
author entries, and 2 for subject.
You will probably want to search by subject, or by KEYWORD. The keyword in this case is
REPTILIA. In this key word use many subcategories, including: biogeography, Chelonia,
Cotylosauria, Crocodilia, dinosaurs, Eosuchia, Euryapsida. etc... and eventually Saurischia
under which is the entry:
Cretaceous: A new specimen of Struthiomimus altus from Alberta, with

comments on the classificatory character of Upper Cretaceous ornithonimids.
(Nicholls, Elizabeth L., et al.)
To find where this paper was published, you check the author index of the same year, to find:
Nicholls, Elizabeth L., and Russell, Anthony P.
Cretaceous: A new specimen of Struthiomimus altus from Alberta, with

comments on the classificatory character of Upper Cretaceous ornithonimids.
(Nicholls, Elizabeth L., et al.). Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, Vol. 18, No.
3, p.518-526.
At the University, back issues, usually bound, have call numbers in the QE series. Once you
have tracked down the volume, it will contain the desired paper. In this example, the paper gives
detailed information on the skeletal differences between Struthiomimus, Ornithomimus,
Dromicieomimus, and Gallimimus. It also has a reference list at the end, which includes most of
the significant papers on ortnithonimid morphology.
There is, therefore, not real need to search through the Index and Bibliography any further -
someone else has done it for you!
You also have two other options in order to look for geological/palaeontological references:
1) GEOSCAN is a data base which provides bibliographic, geographic and subject access to
publicly available geoscience literature concerning the Canadian landmass and offshore regions.
This bibliographic data system is cooperatively produced from the indexing contributions of
fifteen federal, provincial, academic and professional organizations located throughout Canada,
and it is available only through these fifteen professional organizations. The Geological Survey
of Canada coordinates these indexing activities and provides computer resources in support of
this project. Created in 1969, GEOSCAN presently contains over 120,000 bibliographic records
and approximately 7,500 new records are added to the data base each year. GEOSCAN covers
both published and unpublished geoscience documents ranging from 1845 to date. The
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breakdown between published and unpublished documents is 57% published items and 43%
unpublished items. Document types covered in GEOSCAN include published serials,
periodicals, theses, published and unpublished maps, open files and mineral assessment reports.
You can use GEOSCAN at the following libraries: any Geological Survey of Canada library, the
Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists (in
Calgary) and the Alberta Research Council (in Edmonton). There might be a charge to retrieve
information from this database. It would also be wise from the user to bring his own diskette to
save files, if he intends to retrieve a lot of data. Just ask the librarian for more information.
2) GEOREF is also a data base which provides bibliographic and index to publicly available
geoscience literature, but is concerned with the world as opposed to only Canada, as it is the case
with GEOSCAN. It is produced by the American Geological Institute and any library or
individual can purchase it. We are aware that the Gallagher Geology library carries it. There is
normally no cost to use this database but the user is asked to bring his own diskette to save files
if he intends to retrieve a lot of data.
If your search deals only with Canada and if you can afford the charges, our recommendation is
to use only GEOSCAN, since this data base is more comprehensive on Canadian literature than
is GEOREF.
Other journals which publish papers on fossil vertebrates include:
Journal of Palaeontology, Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology, Lethania,

Journal of Vertebrate Palaeontology, Palynology, Brevoria, Palaeontographica
Africana, Acta Palaeontologica Polinica, Palaeogeography - Palaeoclimatology -
Palaeoecology, Nature, Science, Palaeobios, Copeia, Evolutionary Theory,
Scientific American.
And also papers from the:
Alberta Research Council, University of Alberta, Geological Survey of Canada,

Royal Ontario Museum, National Museums of Canada.
Cataloguing systems used by various museums

ACRONYMS - All institutions that we are aware of use an acronym somewhere within the
specimen catalogue number; usually at the beginning. The acronym is usually based on the
institution's name, some examples are:
ROM (Royal Ontario Museum)

TMP (Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology)
USNM (United States National Museum)
NMC (National Museum of Canada)
APS (Alberta Palaeontological Society), etc...
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SPECIMEN NUMBER - Unlike the use of acronyms which has fairly widespread use
worldwide, many museums have set up their own specimen numbering systems to fit their own
requirements. Many older institutions simply number each individual specimen in chronological
order (ie. AMNH 12976, 12977, etc...). Every specimen (fossils, artifacts, animal skins, etc...)
are numbered this way so the entire number series is made up of a mixture of specimens. The
Saskatchewan Museum of Natural History has a different numbering system where every
specimen in the museum gets two numbers-one for the department which curates that specimen
and another number for the entire museum collections. For example:
SMNH P.10246 Where: P. = Palaeontology Department

11754 10246 = Specimen Number
11754 = Eleven thousand, seven
hundred and fifty-fourth
specimen in SMNH
collections
The Tyrrell Museum has a numbering system which is both unique and logical as the specimen
number can yield much information about the specimen without going to the file for additional
data. TMP specimen numbers consist of three parts. For example: TMP81.18.234
TMP of course stands for the Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology. The 81 shows that the
specimen was collected in 1981. As we are now in 1993 all specimens being catalogued now at
TMP receive an 93 number. If we acquire a specimen collected, say 1967, it will still get an 93
number with the proper date of collection noted on the accession file. The next number in our
example is the site/locality number, in this case 18 or the Centrosaurus bonebed (Quarry 143) in
Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta (Map C26). At TMP, the material collected from the
Centrosaurus bonebed always gets the site number 18, so, if I came across a horned dinosaur
tooth with the number 84.18.33 I would automatically know it came from the Centrosaurus
bonebed in Dinosaur Provincial Park. The last number in the series is the individual specimen
number which separates it from all others in the same number series. So, using our example,
TMP81.18.234 we can interpret this specimen as such: "The 234th specimen collected from the
Centrosaurus bonebed (Quarry 143) in 1981".
A quick and easy way to number your fossil specimens is to type them out, cut out each number
and glue it onto your specimen. Another way is to use LIQUID PAPER (correction fluid) and a
proper thick black ink pen.
____________________
The "SPECIMEN SHEET" provided at the beginning of this report is a sample form used by the
Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology. The Gusher modified it by adding one page to allow a sketch
or a photo of the specimen or location to be attached.
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Information regarding the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology

(GAC, 1991)
In Canada, The Royal Tyrrell Museum is a unique institution entirely devoted to palaeontology.
The name of the museum commemorates the great canadian geologist. Joseph Burr Tyrrell, who
discovered the first dinosaur skeleton, Albertosaurus sarcophagus, in the Drumheller area in
1884. The title "Royal" was granted to the museum by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during
her visit to Alberta in June, 1990.
The museum was officially opened on September 25, 1985. Situated in Midland Provincial Park,
the building occupies 11,200 m 2 and includes 4,400 m 2 of display area, a 200-seat auditorium,
a research library, preparation laboratories, and specimen collections. There are seven curators
(four vertebrate palaeontologists, an invertebrate palaeontologist, a palynologist, and a
sedimentologist), a postdoctoral fellow, a research associate, and several graduate students,
working in the research section. Affiliated to the museum is the Fiels Station situated in
Dinosaur Provincial Park (about 190 km southeast of Drumheller, near Patricia, in the Red Deer
River valley). In recognition of its rich treasury of dinosaur fossils, Dinosaur Provincial Park has
been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Over 100,000 fossil specimen are catalogued in the collections, which includes approximately
40,000 vertebrates (17,500 dinosaurs), 10,700 invertebrates, and 17,500 plants. Taxonomic and
locality data of these specimens can be obtained conveniently through a computerized database.
Information regarding the Alberta Palaeontological Society

The Society is a non-profit organization formed:
A) to promote the science of palaeontology through study and education

B) to make contributions to the science by:
1) discovery
2) collection
3) description, curation, and display
4) education of the general public
5) preserve material for study and the future
C) to provide information and expertise to other collectors
D) to work with professionals at museums and universities to add to the

palaeontological collections of the province (preserve Alberta's heritage)
Any person with a sincere interest in palaeontology is eligible to present their application for
membership in the Society. There are three classes of membership:
1) Active: any person or institution taking an active part in the Society's
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program.
2) Life: Any person who is recognized as providing exceptional or
meritorious service to the Society.
3) Friends of
the Society: person or persons who have rendered an outstanding service to the
benefit of the Society.
Officers of the Society (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, etc...) are elected for a
period of one year. Everybody can submit their application. The Society meets every third Friday
of the month from September to May at 7:30 P.M. in room B108 at Mount Royal College. During
these meetings palaeontologists and other guest speakers are invited to elaborate on their work (or
hobby). Every summer the Society organizes three field trips in Alberta, Saskatchewan or B.C.
They also organize a one week field trip to the United States.
The following equipment is available for members of the Society, during their regular laboratory
evenings:
Rock saws (with diamond blades, 2), Trim saws (with diamond blades, 2), Lap
wheels (220 and 600 grit), Crusher, Foredom drills (with non-percussion hand
pieces, 5), Microscopes, Camera (35mm SLR, with 50mm and 80mm macro
lenses, and microscope accessories - binocular & petrographic), Photographic
lights (150 watt photoflood, 2), ultrasonic cleaner, Ultraviolet lamp, Sieve sets
(and sieve shakers), Manual rock splitting equipment, Electronic balance, Hot
plates, Assorted glassware, Table top furnace (to 100°C), Overhead projector.
By prior arrangement, during business hours:

35mm slide projector, 16mm film projector, VHS, Beta or 3/4" VCR and monitor,
Video camera and monitor, Video camera and monitor for microscopes.
More information on this Society can be gathered from their website through:
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/9094/aps.html
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APPENDIX H
OLD NEWS
1) On March 1990, the japanese government sent a team to the Soviet Union to investigate
the import of mammoth tusks. Rather than risk further embarrassment as a despoiler of
nature, the Japanese government recently bowed to international pressure by imposing a
complete ban on importing ivory, raw or worked, to save the endangered African
elephant. With some 10 million mammoths still said to be preserved under the Siberian
permafrost, the business could certainly prove lucrative to Moscow.
2) Mammoth flesh, once unfrozen, is still quite tasty after 10,000 years. Mammoths are still
being eaten by modern man from time to time in Alaska and Siberia.
3) The building materials in the construction of the earliest human graves were the shoulder
blades of prehistoric mammoths.
4) The first four-legged amphibians were also the first animals to have voices.
5) The human nervous system is the product of millions of years of evolution. It is

comprised of over 10,000,000,000 nerve cells.
6) It takes the energy from one ton of coal to make one ton of paper.
7) In the Ordovician period, about 450,000,000 years ago, the South Pole was situated in
what is now the Sahara desert.
8) Four fossil forest sites have been identified at widely separated localities on Ellesmere
Island and one on Axel Heiberg Island in the Canadian Arctic. They all seem to be of
Eocene or Palaeocene age (Tertiary). The predominant trees are dawn redwoods
(Metasequoia), whose modern representatives are native only to an isolated valley in
China. The trees look fresh but slightly darkened. They have retained so much of their
original woody tissue that they will burn like fresh firewood.
9) The largest ammonite (imprint in rock) ever found in Canada is a Titanites occidentalis
Frebold and was found in the Lower Kootenay sandstone (Portlandian) at the Ammonite
Gully, Coal Creek, near Fernie, British Columbia. It measures 2.2 metres in height and
can still be found laying in the creek since it is imprinted in the rock (Frebold, 1964)
10) On February 27, 1991 a discovery was announced regarding the proof that a giant
meteorite wiped out the dinosaurs and every land animal over 20 kilograms, changing the
course of evolution. The Chicxulub Meteorite crater located in Yucatan was first thought
to have been a crater caused by volcanoes. But planetary scientists who investigated now
believe the crater was blasted by a meteorite which smashed into Earth 65 million years
ago during the Cretaceous-Tertiary period. And they believe the meteorite - an estimated
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10 kilometres in diameter - triggered worldwide extinctions. The meteorite has punched

a hole 30 kilometres into Earth's crust and the impact created a huge 200 kilometre bull's-
eye on the planet. The impact vaporized calcium carbonate rock into carbon dioxide gas
and produced a super-greenhouse effect that lasted thousands of years.
11) In a remote corner of Colorado, paleontologists have unearthed a fossil of a giant

allosaurus (meat-eating dinosaur) with a cauliflower-like growth at its tip. It could turn
out to be the oldest (140 million years) cancer ever found. The tumour looks like
chondrosarcoma, a type of bone cancer (January 4, 1992 Globe and Mail).
12) A bit of bone from a fractured skull thousand of years old suggests that Neanderthal man
was not as primitive and savage as some believe. The bone shows evidence of the
ancient, severe injury that healed, suggesting the cave-dwelling Neanderthal nursed and
cared for their injured. (Calgary Herald, Feb 9, 1992).
13) On september 19, 1991, in the melting Similaun glacier high in the Alps in Italy, a
German tourist spotted the remains of what is now known as the most ancient human
being ever found virtually intact. His age, established by radio-carbon dating as
approximately 5,300 years places him in the "Stone-Age". The Iceman, as he is called,
was 1.6m tall and displayed some tattoos on his back and knees. He carried with him a
squadron of stone age missiles, a sophisticated chopping tool, the world's oldest wood-
handled dagger, a bag made out of plants with berries inside, and warm clothes to protect
him against the harsh weather. (TIME October 26, 1992)
14) Diamonds measured in billionths of a metre found at a geological boundary between the
Cretaceous and Tertiary periods, were of extraterrestrial origin. This adds more glitter to
the asteroid theory of dinosaur extinction. (Calgary Herald, May 14, 1992)
15) Fossil hunters in British Columbia, have uncovered the remains of a 440 million year old
sea creature that looks like a cross between a weathered fence post and an English
cucumber. It's the first known discovery in Western Canada and one of the best-preserved
finds world-wide of the extinct animal, belonging to a group called stromatoporoids.
Several varieties are definitely new to science. The fossilized, pillar-like creatures lie
embedded in limestone about 2,100 metres up in Top-of-the-World Provincial Park,
about 50 kilometres northeast of Cranbrook, B.C. (Calgary Herald, October 30, 1992)
16) Alberta has two known meteorite impact sites. The first one, near Steen River in the
northern part of the province, shows no visible geological features. But puzzling results
from geophysical surveys led geologists to carry out seismic soundings. Buried beneath
200 metres of sediment is a 25 kilometre diameter crater with central uplift, the remnant
of a gigantic collision. Radioactive dating has set its age at almost 100 million years.
The feature was gouged out by a body about one kilometre across. The second site is at
Eagle Butte, in the south. Drill cores taken at the site contained "shatter cones", rocks
that had experienced a catastrophic explosion. The 10 kilometre diameter buried crater is
believed to be less than 65 million years old. Evidence have been seen for other craters
in seismic surveys. There may be two dozens buried craters in Alberta alone. Of about
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130 craters confirmed worldwide, 25 are in Canada. (Calgary Herald, January 11, 1992)
17) In 1979 the oldest footprints in Canadian records were discovered. They come from a
large prehistoric animal which flourished 200 million years before the dinosaurs. The
location of the footprints is in 350-million-year-old Carboniferous sedimentary rocks on
the shore of Minas Basin, at Horton Bluff about 3.2 kilometres due east of Grand Pre,
Nova Scotia. They record the journey out of the water of a large, highly evolved creature
(an amphibian) at a remarkably early time in Earth's history. The creature was four-
footed, and had four toes on his hind feet. Some of the toe impressions show distinct
claw marks. No bones of an amphibian large enough to make such tracks have yet been
found in Canada (Canadian Geographic, Mossman & Sarjeant, 19??).
18) Workers at the University of California at Berkeley and California Polytechnic State
University have managed to extract "the oldest-known DNA" from a 25 million year-old
bee preserved in amber. Scientists hope to use the reconstructed genetic codes in the
DNA to work out evolutionary timetables for different species. (Calgary Herald Sept 5,
1992)
19) The second documented find of mammoth remains from British Columbia was reported
in September 1991. The specimen, a fragment of pelvic bone, was discovered in gravel
near the Fraser River north of Prince George. It is estimated that the mammoth would
have stood about three metres tall at the shoulder, "...about the size of a large bull
elephant". (Calgary Herald, March 14, 1992)
20) The skeleton of a 113 million-year-old ichthyosaur was discovered in early April 1992 at
the Syncrude Canada Ltd. oil sands plant at Fort McMurray, Alberta. It is the second
ichthyosaur recovered in Alberta. (Calgary Sun April 21, 1992)
21) The "living fossil" fish, the coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae), may soon be a real fossil.
A scientist claims that the remaining population (about 200) which live in the Indian
Ocean off Africa, is threatened by an Asian myth that the coelacanth's spinal fluid is an
"elixir of life". (Vancouver Sun, October 11, 1991)
22) A complete mastodon skeleton has been found in a Nova Scotia gypsum mine. Besides
the mastodon, geologists from the Nova Scotia Museum have recorded freshwater clams,
extinct snails, a tree limb gnawed by a prehistoric beaver, and "a nice little flat frog".
(Edmonton Journal, January 13, 1992)
23) A fossil mushroom has been found in a lump of 20 million year old amber. It had
several modern features, including "gills" on the underside. This indicates that
mushrooms evolved much earlier than previously thought. (Science year 1992, and
National Geographic, August 1991, pg 138)
24) An underwater "forest" about 8,000 years old, was found in Lake Michigan off Chicago
(Earth Science, Fall 1990, pg 6)
165
25) The skull of what is believed to be the oldest mammal remain, was discovered in Texas.
It probably belonged to a five inch long, rodent-like animal, and is believed to be 220
million years old, 10 million years older than the next oldest mammal fossil. (MAPS
Digest, February 1991, from Insight, Sept 24, 1990)
26) A diver found a worked copper deposit beneath Lake Superior. It may mean that man
was in North America 10 or 15 thousand years earlier than 4000 to 5000 BP (the current
accepted dates), because the deposit would have to have been worked prior to the last
glacial advance.
166
APPENDIX I
Wapiti Lake, British Columbia, Canada
INTRODUCTION
Lower Triassic fishes have been known from western Canada since first reported in 1914 from
the Banff area of Alberta. Additional sites have been discovered since then that produce fossil
fish material, some bearing articulated specimens. The best known of these Lower Triassic fish
localities occur in the Ganoid Range near Wapiti Lake, B.C., 150 km southwest of Grande
Prairie, Alberta (54 30.5'N, 120 43'W). The sites occur on Ganoid Ridge in the vicinity of a
small lake appropriately named Fossil Fish lake approximately 5 km from Wapiti Lake and about
40 km from the nearest road. Fossils were first discovered in this area by L.R. Laudon and a
group of students from the University of Wisconsin in 1947. Extensive research programs have
been going on at the Wapiti Lake sites during the 1980's by the Royal Tyrrell Museum of
Paleontology and the University of Alberta.
GEOLOGY
The fossil-bearing sites at Wapiti Lake occur on a ridge (Ganoid Ridge) approximately 8 km
long, located near the front ranges of the Rocky Mountains. The ridge is made up of an
overturned fold, the west side of which is formed by strata that are right side up with Lower
Triassic rocks overlying late Paleozoic rocks. The eastern side is formed by the overturned east
arm of the fold so that late Paleozoic rocks overlie the Triassic rocks in some regions. Locally
high intensity deformation has resulted in additional folding and faulting causing discontinuity,
displacement and repetition of beds. This repetition of beds is partly responsible for the high
concentration of fossils in the talus of some areas.
The highest concentration of specimens discovered to date has come from a cirque labeled C. In
this area, the strata dip at approximately 80 degrees to the cliff face, and run approximately
parallel to the wall of the ridge so that large plates of fossil bearing strata are exposed.
Additional concentrations of fossils have been found in X, R, F, A, D and T cirques.
The Triassic section at Wapiti Lake consists of the Sulphur Mountain Formation and the lower
part of the Whitehorse Formation. The Sulphur Mountain Formation is divided into three
members; Vega-Phroso Siltstone, Whistler and Llama Members. The fossil bearing horizons
belong to the Vega-Phroso Siltstone Member although the Llama Member has also produced
significant collections. Invertebrates collected from the sites suggest a Smithian (Lower
Triassic) age for these rocks.
The Vega-Phroso Siltstone Member is made up of dark brownish grey to orange brown
calcareous siltstones, limestones, silty shales, and minor amounts of very fine grained
sandstones. It ranges in thickness from 225 to 250 m and overlies porous, calcareous sandstones
of the Upper Permian Mowitch Formation and dark grey to white cherts of the Permian Ranger
Canyon Formation. Immediately below these two formations is the conspicuous chert breccio-
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conglomerate of the Lower Permian Belcourt Formation which acts as a useful marker bed for
helping to locate the boundary between Triassic and older beds. Below this lie the grey to white
limestones of the Mississipian Rundle Group.
The Vesa-Phroso Siltstone Member is overlain by the Middle Triassic Whistler Member which
forms one of the most distinctive and easily recognized units of the Sulphur Mountain
Formation.
It is difficult to determine exactly where the fish fossils occur stratigraphically as the sites that
have been collected most extensively are highly deformed and most specimens have been
collected from talus. Some in situ collections have been made, however, and these appear to
indicate that there are concentrations of fossil material at more than one level.
PALEOGEOGRAPHY AND PALEOECOLOGY
One important aspect of the study of the Wapiti Lake fauna is that it contributes to our
knowledge of the paleobiogeography during the Lower Triassic. Quite a number of marine
Triassic assemblages of approximately the same age are known from various parts of the world.
When these sites are plotted on a map of the world as it is believed to have appeared during the
Lower Triassic, they are seen to have a circumpangael distribution (i.e., they occur all around the
supercontinent of pangae). Sites that include faunas of this age are found in:
1) Southeastern Idaho
2) Southern Alberta and British Columbia (11 genera of fishes)
3) In the Wapiti Lake area (16 genera of fishes)
4) Killik-Itkillik region, Alaska
5) Ellesmere Island in northern Canada
6) East Greenland (19 genera of fishes)
7) West Spitzbergen (18 genera of fishes)
8, 9, 10, 11) Tunguska, Olenek, Verkhouyansk, Madagan regions, Siberia
12, 13, 14) N. Shenshi, W. Kwangsi-Kweichow Basins, Mt. Bogdo-Sinkiang,
China
15) Salt Range, Pakistan
16) Djulfa, Iran
17, 18) North & South Madagascar (26 & 11 genera of fishes)
19) Nepal
The overall taxonomic resemblances that occur at these sites suggest that common ecological
and geographical factors occurred in the relatively shallow seas around Pangaea during the
Lower Triassic and that these shallow seas supported similar assemblages of animals.
The shelf sediments at the Wapiti Lake sites indicate that they were deposited in a marginal basin
or platform of moderate depth between the continent on the east and possibly a chain of volcanic
arcs on the west. The sediments present also suggest that the Vega-Phroso Siltstone Member
was deposited in an easterly to southeasterly transgressing sea along the western margin of a
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relatively deep water, open shelf, marine environment, similar in some respects to that now
existing off the east coast of the United States. All organisms in the fauna can be associated with
a pelagic way of life and there is little evidence for shallow water. Sediments higher in the
section show that a shallowing trend occurred later during the deposition of the Vega-Phroso
Siltstone Member.
DISTRIBUTION OF FOSSIL VERTEBRATES
The fossil fish material from the Vega-Phroso Siltstone Member on Ganoid Ridge occurs at
about 40-45 m above the Paleozoic-Triassic contact. The fish remains extend through a vertical
range of about 10 m but nearly 90% of the specimens in situ were found in the lower 1.5 m of the
section. Fish remains were reported at 50 to 65 m above the Triassic-permian contact on Mount
Becker.
A rich fish layer was found in R cirque in a thin platy, silty shale about 30 to 40 m above the
contact. A more concretionary layer, containing three dimensional fish and ammonite remains,
occurs about 30 m further up section at site X. A layer of resistant siltstone and silty limestone
containing coprolites, fish bones and spines of the chondrichthyan, cf. listracanthus , also occurs
further up section from the rich fish bed in R cirque. The exact stratigraphic level of the rich
fossil concentration in F cirque is uncertain but the fossils occur mainly in a massive, blocky
siltstone layer.
There are at least three faunas present in the lower part of the Sulphur Mountain Formation. The
quarry in C cirque and the main fish zone in R and D cirques contain the lowermost fauna which
is characterized by small Bobasatrania , large Saurichthys , abundant coelacanths and the
presence of parasemionotids. The second fauna, which is represented in F cirque, occurs higher
in the section and is characterized by large Bobasatrania , small Saurichthys and the absence of
parasemionotids. The third fauna, still further up-section, is composed mainly of ichthyosaur
and other reptile material. This fauna comes from within the Llama Member but the exact level
has not yet been established. These three faunas apparently occurred in varying water depths,
with the depth decreasing up-section.
HABITS AND FEEDING
Studies on the anatomy of the fishes from Wapiti Lake suggest some things about the habits and
feeding mechanisms of these fishes. Several of the kind of fishes from the Sulphur Mountain
Formation, including the small parasemionotids, perleidids and other smalller fishes are small
and fusiform with weak dentitions and small to moderate gapes. These fishes may have had a
diet of plankton, detritus, larval fishes or algae and may be classified as small food feeders or
grazers.
Albertonia, one of the largest fishes in the assemblages has elongated pectoral fins, a deep body,
and a well developed caudal fin which suggest that it was a slow, strong swimmer. It has a weak
marginal dentition and apparently lacked pharyngeal teeth so it may have been a nibbler or
169
grazer as well. It is difficult to speculate about the function of the extremely long pectorial fins
in this genus. There are several theories about these fins based on several recent groups of fishes
that have elongated pectoral fins. It was originally suggested that these elongated fins were
similar to those found in recent groups of fishes that are said to fly or glide such as Pantodon, the
hatchetfish or the flying fishes. The body shape of Albertonia is quite different from the shape in
these fishes, however, and the pectoral fins are placed too low on the body for this type of
locomotion. Flying fishes often have a hypocaudal lobe on the tail, which is not present in
Albertonia. It is more likely that these fins were used for more typical modes of swimming, and
the body form of Albertonia is more similar to that of fishes that are found in moderate depths or
coral reef areas where the pectorals are used to aid in maneuvering and for short bursts of speed.
The enlarged pectoral fins may also be associated with tactile function as in some fishes that bear
taste buds and touch receptors on them. The Polynemidae and Dactylopteridae use elongated
pectoral fins as tactile organs, and when extended and fanned out, these fins can stir up edible
morsels when the fish is foraging.
An additional possibility for the possession of these enlarged fins is for sexual dimorphic display
and there may be some evidence for this group being sexually dimorphic. Recent groups of
fishes that display sexual dimorphism in the paired fins include the dragonets, topminnows,
snappers and suckers.
Another kind of feeding mechanism is shown by Bobasatrania which has a weak marginal
dentition but a strong pharyngeal dentition. This suggests that these fishes were feeding on
something with a moderately hard shell such as shrimps, and crushing them before swallowing.
Several kind of Lower Triassic fishes, including Saurichthys and Birgeria have long shallow
bodies on which the fins are placed far posteriorly and elongated jaws with well developed
pointed teeth. These features imply a predatory habit and one specimen of Saurichthys actually
died with a small specimen of Boreosomus in its mouth. These animals may have fed much like
the Recent long-nosed gar which is a "sit-and-wait" predator that strikes quickly and uses its long
pointed jaws to grasp and hold prey then swallowing it whole.
One very interesting fish is the genus Australosomus . These fishes combine the added
protection of having rows of elongated, interlocking body scales with the slender, elongate body,
posteriorly positioned dorsal and anal fins, and well developed caudal fin borne on the end of a
slender caudal peduncle that indicates the ability for rapid bursts of speed. The almost vertical
orientation of the enlarged lateral body scales allows for a good compromise between protection
and flexibility. The jaws are long but the teeth are small, indicating the prey would be relatively
small size.
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FAUNAL LIST: WAPITI LAKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA - Lower Triassic (Vega-

Phroso Siltstone member)
Invertebrates
Brachiopoda
Terebratulidae
Mollusca
Ammonoidea
Arctoceras sp. (Gibson, 1972)
Xenoceltites sp. (Gibson, 1972)
Xenoceltites cf. X. hannai (Schaeffer and Mangus, 1976)
Xenoceltites subevolutus (Tozer pers. com. 1987)
Juvenites sp. (Schaeffer and mangus, 1976)
Euflemingites sp.
Bivalvia
Posidonia mimer (Gibson, 1972)
Gervillia sp. (Gibson, 1972)
Pseudomonotis occidentalis (Gibson, 1972)
Claraia stachei (Gibson, personal comm.)
Trigonodus sp. (Schaeffer and mangus, 1976)
Arthropoda
phyllocarids
cf. Concavicaris (Richards, personal comm.)
Arthropoda incertae sedis
Conodonta
Gondolella sp. or Neogondolella sp.
Vertebrates
Fishes
Condrichthyes
Hybodontidae incertae sedis
cf. Palaeobates (Schaeffer and Mangus, 1976)
Edestodus sp. (Lund, personal comm.)
cf. Listracanthus (Schaeffer and Mangus, 1976)
Osteichthyes
Pteronisculus sp. (Schaeffer and Mangus, 1976)
Birgeria sp. (Schaeffer and Mangus, 1976)
Boreosomus sp. (Schaeffer and Mangus, 1976)
Paleoniscoidea incertae sedis
Bobasatrania canadensis (Schaeffer and Mangus, 1976)
Bobasatrania sp. (possibly new species; Brinkman and Neuman, 1987?)
Perleididae n.gen. et sp. (Neuman 1986)
171
cf. Perleidus sp. (Schaeffer and Mangus, 1976; Neuman, 1986)

Australosomus sp. (Schaeffer and Mangus, 1976)
Saurichthys spp. (Schaeffer and Mangus, 1976)
Watsonulus cf. W. eugnathoides (Neuman, 1986)
Parasemionotidae n.gen. et sp. (Neuman, 1986)
Albertonia cupidinia (Schaeffer and mangus, 1976; Neuman, 1986)
Albertonia n.sp. (Neuman, 1986)
Actinopterygii incertae sedis
Whiteia sp. (Schaeffer and Mangus, 1976)
Coelacanthidae incertae sedis
Reptiles
Ichthyosauria
Mixosaurus cf. M. nordenskioeldii (Callaway and Brinkman 1989)
Grippia cf. G. longirostris (Calloway and Brinkman, 1989)
FISH FAUNAL LIST: WAPITI LAKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA - Middle Triassic

(Whistler and Llama members)
Vertebrates
Fishes
Condrichthyes
Incertae sedis
Osteichthyes
Boreosomus sp. (Schaeffer and Mangus, 1976)
cf. Bobasatrania sp.
cf. Perleidid sp.
cf. Saurichthys sp.
References
Neuman A.G. (June 1987). Lower Triassic fossil fish assemblage from Western Canada. In:
Bulletin of the Alberta Palaeontological Society, Volume 2, Number 2. Pages 6-14.
Neuman A.G. (1992). Lower and Middle Triassic Sulphur Mountain Formation, Wapiti Lake,
British Columbia: Summary of Geology and Fauna. Contributions to Natural Science,
published by the Royal British Columbia Museum, 675 Belleville Street, Victoria, B.C., Canada,
V8V 1X4. No. 16, March 1992.
Neuman A.G. (1996). Fishes of the Triassic: Trawling off Pangaea. In: Life in Stone, A natural
history of British Columbia’s fossils. UBC Press, University of British Columbia. Pages 104-
115
172
Figures
Location Map for Fossil Fish Lake and the Ganoid Ridge. Stippled area represents extent of
Ganoid Ridge.
173
Fossil fish diversity in the Lower Triassic Sulphur Mountain Formation, Wapiti Lake
A: Albertonia B: Perleididae C: Pteronisculus
D: Australosomus E : Boreosomus F : Hybodontidae
G: Bobasatrania H: Parasemionotidae I: Birgeria
J: Saurichthys K: Coelacanthida
The coelacanth Whitea. This specimen is 50cm long
174
APPENDIX J
The Burgess Shale, British Columbia, Canada
On a dull day in November 1885, a dream became tangible. At the small station of Craigellachie,
high in the Rogers Pass area of the Canadian Rockies, the last spike of the Canadian Pacific rail-
way buckled the country together. The completed railroad, a condition of British Columbia's
entry into confederation, capped years of engineering challenge, national vision, and political
scandal. As the steel extended segment by arthropodlike segment across the landscape, raucous
camps arose. The Pass bristled with activity. But even as that last spike was driven, men were
laid off. Mountain camps emptied. Silence settled like rain upon the valleys. Abandoned
buildings and equipment took on a ghostly air.
Not far away brooded ghosts of a deeper past. They haunted the very rocks of the mountains. In
1885, no one knew they were there. But they were the remnants of a community every bit as rich
and dynamic as anything since. Their shapes would strain the imagination of those who came
across them and would challenge views of how we came to be. These ghosts - these thin,
insubstantial films on rocks - are the fossils in Burgess Shale, a black sedimentary rock formed
from the muds of the Middle Cambrian.
The fossils are carbon-film remains of marine animals, and most are relatively small. For size,
they cannot compete with dinosaurs or even with mammals. Few are longer than your finger. But
they are incomparably strange. They have nozzles and filaments, spikes and flaps. Many defy
classification. Yet among them is the first known animal with a spinal cord, a precursor of all
later vertebrates, including us. Few other fossils engage the mind as fully as these strange
creatures.
Burgess Shale fossils are some 530 million years old. When they were living animals, British
Columbia was not only unattached to Canada, it wasn't even part of the continent. The sleds of
rock that would later make up Canada's third-largest province were being tugged through oceans
to the south and west, sliding on molten runners of continental drift. The continental mass that
would later become known as North America lay lengthwise across the equator. The land was
barren. No soil, no plants, no animals graced the inhospitable rocks. Wind and rain scoured the
terrain, steadily washing sediments into the sea. Although there were no polar icecaps and the
climate was probably warmer than today's, the land was an unsurpassable challenge to living
things. Life ashore was still a contradiction in terms.
The seas, however, teemed with organisms. Cambrian fossils from around the world testify to an
unprecedented expansion of life forms. Trilobites and brachiopods, sponges, worms, and
mollusks are only a few of the creatures that show up increasingly in the fossil record of the
time. Scientists call it the "Cambrian breakthrough" or the "Cambrian explosion." Although they
disagree about its causes and extent, they concur that around 550 million years ago something
different happened. Life danced. The Burgess Shale fossils are an incomplete but still unmatched
guide to this provocative waltz.
175
The Burgess Shale lies on a saddle between Mt. Field and Mt. Wapta, high in the Canadian
Rockies. Only a few kilometers north of the Trans-Canada Highway, the site is surrounded by
towering glacier- laden peaks. Mountain goats patrol the slopes. Below lies the enticing shimmer
of Emerald Lake.
The shale itself is an unprepossessing slug of rock. Part of the Stephen Formation, it has been
quarried repeatedly over the years. Researchers have discovered at least six different fossil-
bearing bands, but most of their work has focused on the original quarry. There, from a band of
rock little more than two meters thick (six feet), they have recovered some of the world's most
intriguing fossils. The shale's dusty black layers break apart easily. Dark slabs, many chipped
and split by geologists' picks, are scattered down the slope beneath the quarries. A trail winding
between Takakkaw Falls and the mountain town of Field passes beneath the site, but without
signs provided by Parks Canada, a casual visitor wouldn't notice the ledge little more than
halfway up the slope.
Charles Doolittle Walcott noticed the ledge, though. Not that he was a casual visitor. Head of the
Smithsonian Institution, a well- respected paleontologist and one of the most influential scientists
of his time, Walcott went there to study the geology and look for fossils. He first came to the
Canadian Rockies in 1907, riding the new transcontinental railroad to the station at Laggan, now
Lake Louise. In 1909 he and his wife, on horseback along a trail flanking Mt. Wapta, came
across a loose slab of rock. Walcott split it open. Inside lay the graceful outlines of a tiny
arthropod. It was the first in a series of remarkable finds.
Five times between 1910 and 1917, Walcott returned to the outcrop he was to name Burgess
Shale after the mountain pass from the town of Field. With him were assistants and family
members. Together they collected more than 65,000 fossils; the specimens showed exquisitely
preserved limbs and traces of soft internal organs. Indeed, many of the animals were soft-bodied
creatures, rari- ties in the fossil record of any age. These "ghosts" provide the most detailed
glimpse available of an early and crucial period in life's history. For some animal groups, the
Burgess Shale provides the earliest or only known representatives. Many are unusual, pushing
the edges of the taxonomic envelope. Burgess Shale fossils rank among the most valued
collections ever found.
Early Observations
What are some of these creatures, so tiny, yet so compelling? What kind of a world did they
inhabit? And what does their existence tell us about the evolution of life? The rock record
indicates that Burgess Shale fauna lived near the edge of an extensive continental shelf that
skirted the old rocks of Laurentia, the Canadian Shield and its surroundings. The sea was warm,
and a massive algal reef gradually took shape in its waters. Remains of the reef, known as the
Cathedral Escarpment, are strikingly visible in the mountains near the Burgess Shale. According
to some estimates, the reef stood 200 meters high (650 feet). It has been mapped for more than
50 kilometers (30 miles).
Muds and silts built up in terraces and slopes against the flank of the reef, and a varied
invertebrate fauna soon settled in. Sponges sieved the water for food particles. Algal blooms
176
welled upward on the currents. Barnacles fastened themselves to solid surfaces. A variety of
mud- eaters plowed through the soft muds. Predatory worms hunkered in their burrows, waiting
for unsuspecting mollusks to pass within range.
One noteworthy worm is Ottoia. Named by Walcott after Otto Creek, thumb-sized Ottoia is one
of the largest worms in the local sediments. At its tail grew a cluster of hooks, helpful in
anchoring the animal solidly in its burrow. At its head was an extendable snout, or proboscis. It
too was covered with hooks and spines. The proboscis could project to capture prey, which the
worm then swallowed whole. It fed on small brachiopods and mollusks, and one specimen has
been found with bits of another Ottoia in its belly.
Trilobites, the signature Cambrian fossils, abound in the Burgess Shale. But even the trilobites
aren't standard issue. One, Naroia, has an unusual two- piece exoskeleton. (Most trilobites wear
a three-piece suit.) Soft-bodied forms, such as Tegopelte, are also present. They hint that soft-
bodied trilobites may have been more common than other fossil evidence leads us to believe. In
fact, soft-bodied organisms are far more prevalent here than hard-shelled creatures are,
suggesting that soft-bodied animals were probably the most numerous creatures in the seas but
simply weren't preserved very often, one of the biases of the fossil record.
Marrella is one such soft-bodied animal. Walcott discovered it on the trail beneath the quarry in
1909; researchers now have more than 15,000 specimens. Rarely longer than a fingernail, elegant
Marrella has a wedge-shaped head crowned by prominent flaring spines and long antennae. A
profusion of legs - up to 26 pairs, each with lacelike gills attached - inspired Walcott to call it
"lace-crab." Many specimens of Marrella have dark stains nearby - likely from body contents'
being squeezed out after the animal's death, since one specimen clearly shows a strand of
intestine.
Apparently the largest predator in the Cambrian seas was Anomalocaris. It rippled through the
water with the undulations of a stingray. Large, overlap- ping lobes along the bottom of its body
helped propel it. Its spine-studded limbs grasped trilobites and other animals, and its circular
mouth engulfed them. Determining exactly what kind of an animal Anomalocaris was has long
been a problem for scientists.
Detached limbs were described in 1892 by Canadian paleontologist J. Whiteaves. Mouth parts
were first thought to belong to a jellyfish. And a spiny arm, first discovered apart from the rest of
the animal, was simply called "appendage F." It was not until 1981 that researcher Harry
Whittington discovered that the limbs belonged to the same kind of animal that had the -unusual
mouth. Even today, no one knows what Anomalocaris was most closely related to.
Another unusual predator was Opabinia. Opabinia was about as long as a hitchhiker's thumb.
The tail end carried a steering system comprised of three pairs of thin blades pointing upward.
The head was a rounded knob bearing five compound eyes. Four of the eyes grew on stalks
surrounding the fifth central eye. From the bottom of the head grew a nozzlelike appendage that
was non-retractable, wrinkled like an elephant's trunk, and ended in a claw. Its size suggests that
it was probably used for clutching food and bringing it around to the mouth.
177
Among these animals slipped the tiny ribbon Pikaia. Its flattened body, tapered at each end,
probed among grains of coarse sediments. Its seemingly two-lobed head had a pair of slender
tentacles and may have borne eyes. Pikaia's gut is visible as a shiny strand running most of its
fossilized length. Parallel to the gut is the strip that so intrigues researchers. It is the first known
occurrence of the tough sheath that later developed into a backbone. Feel your lower spine:
Pikaia is directly related to us.
The reef may have been a prosperous settlement, but it was an unstable one. Water-logged muds
periodically slumped down the slope. Storms pounded the edge, stirring clouds of silt into
suspension. Small creatures were swirled into the disorienting clouds and carried away or buried
by the settling sediments. Perhaps a massive slab of the reef structure itself collapsed in what
geologists call a megatruncation, sliding downslope into cold, oxygen-poor water.
There, in the darkness, the future Burgess Shale fossils were entombed. With little available
oxygen, scavengers were uncommon, and even bacteria could not break down the tiny carcasses.
Decay slowed down, and as more and more sediment accumulated on the site, organic remains
gradually compacted into thin films preserved on bedding planes of what became, over the
millennia, rock.
Taking a Closer Look
If new finds and new interpretations are the basic stuff of paleontology, then the Burgess Shale is
rich in the basics. Walcott's specimens continue to be studied, and even in 1991, Royal Ontario
Museum paleontologist Des Collins identified more strange creatures, including a tentacle-
fringed "sea-apple.”
References
Monty Reid (Sept. 1992). Ghosts of the Burgess Shale. In: Earth. Pages 39-45
See Also
Fossils of the Burgess shale at: http://www.geo.ucalgary.ca/~macrae/Burgess_Shale/
178
Location map of the Fossil bearing Burgess Shale, British Columbia

A: Mount Wapta
B: Mount Stephen
C: Mount Burgess
D: Mount Field
Access to hike to any of the fossil locations shown here is possible only with special
permission from the Government of Canada. You can arrange to join an organized hike into
the area by contacting Yoho National Park, P.O. Box 99, Field, B.C., V0A 1G0 (604) 343-
6324.
179
Fossil List of the Burgess Shale
180
Mount Stephen
Mount Stephen to Mount Dennis
181
The Cathedral Escarpment on Mount Stephen, as seen from the

Escarpment locality on Mount Field.
182
Mount Field
The Cathedral Escarpment on Mount Field as viewed from

Fossil Gully on Mount Stephen
183
The Cathedral Escarpment on the West side of Fossil Ridge

between Wapta Mountain and Mount Field
184

Macrofossils: Their Localities in Alberta, Canada

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Macrofossils: Their Localities in Alberta, Canada

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MACROFOSSILS

Their localities in Alberta, Canada

Example of a Sedimentary Basin and the fossils encountered.

Stratigraphic Section of formations in Alberta

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

How to use this report

SPECIMEN SHEET (Page 2)

Trace Fossil Description Form

Laws pertaining to fossils in Alberta ...................................................................................................... 9

5. Successful fossilization of the preservable

6. Uplift of the sedimentary rocks containing the

7. Erosion of the fossiliferous rocks to expose the

8. Exposure of the fossils within the last 100 years

9. Discovery of the exposed fossils before they are

10. Successful removal of the fossils bones from

11. Successful transport of packaged fossils to a

12. Preparation of the fossils into a display

13. Finally, display of the specimens.

FOSSILS AND FORMATIONS (Fox, 1953)

CAMBRIAN cracks, casts of salt crystals, and ripple marks

PALLISER FORMATION BANFF FORMATION

TYPE LOCALITY: Nigel Creek (Jasper TYPE LOCALITY: Moose Mountain.

Ammonoid shells consist predominantly of

TERTIARY (Palaeocene) BIG HILL FORMATION

PASKAPOO FORMATION TYPE LOCALITY: Cochrane to Calgary.

AMMONITES (Figure E3)

Jurassic ammonites (Frebold, 1963)

Cardioceras - Fernie Group, Oxfordian stage, Cuthead Creek, Banff Park.

- About 90 and 150 metres above base of Bearpaw Formation, 30-5-4w4.

- Berry Creek 11-27-12w4 and 20-29-11w4 (Map C37)

- S/W 1/4, 20-21-11w4.

- Medicine Lodge Coulee, SE 1/4, 7-8-3w4.

- Near base of Blood River sandstone, Pothole Creek, SW 1/4, 34-2-22w4.

- North Side of Milk River, near Groton, 3-10w4.

- "Foxhill sst.", 33-1-22w4.

BRACHIOPODS (Figure E5)

Ordovician brachiopods (Norford, 1962)

Dinorthis rockymontana - Beaverfoot - Brisco Formation. 5 to 12 metres above base. Cirrus

Upper Devonian brachiopods (McLaren et al, 1962)

Allanaria minutilla - Maligne Formation, east of Esplanade Mountain, Jasper Park.

Grunewaldtia americana - Argillaceous limestone member, Mount Hawk Formation, northeast

Thomasaria rockymontana - Argillaceous limestone member, Mount Hawk Formation, North

Athyris - Palliser Formation, 150 metres below top, Winnifred Pass.

CORALS (Figure E1)

Ordovician corals (Norford, 1962)

Streptelasma prolongatum - Beaverfoot - Brisco Formation, 5 to 12 metres above base, Cirrus

Devonian corals (McLaren et al, 1962)

DINOSAUR REMAINS (Figures E14 & E15)

DINOSAUR REMAINS BY LOCALITIES

FISH (Figure E13)

FISH LOCALITIES (Gardiner 68)

***** SUPER-CLASS ELASMOBRANCHIOMORPHI *********

*********** CLASS ARTHRODIRA *******************

2) Steveville. Upper Cretaceous

2) Red Deer River (82-P-10, 15). Edmonton series. Upper Cretaceous.

4) Milk River Formation in southern Alberta. Upper Cretaceous.

6) Little Sandhill Creek, badlands of Alberta. Oldman formation. Upper Cretaceous.

*********** CLASS ACTINOPTERYGII ***************

3) Oldman Formation. Red Deer River

2) Ross Coulee, near Irvine (Map C40). Upper Cretaceous.

5) Willow Creek. Willow Creek Formation. Palaeocene.

6) Willow Creek. Willow Creek Formation. Palaeocene.

* SUPER-CLASS ELASMOBRANCHIOMORPHI *****

* CLASS ARTHRODIRA *********

* CLASS ACTINOPTERYGII *****

***** CLASS SARCOPTERYGII