The Burwell Fossil Diggings

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Set in the 1840s, the narrative explores the discovery of coprolites in the Cambridgeshire fens, initially believed to be fossilized dinosaur droppings. These phosphate-rich deposits sparked a booming demand among manure manufacturers, leading to extensive excavation throughout the region by the 1860s. The book delves into the profound social, economic, and archaeological effects of these fossil diggings on the small rural community of Burwell, northeast of Cambridge, highlighting a unique intersection of natural history and local life.