Lias Collection

1838 Mantells Geological Strata Section
An idealised geological section drawn by Gideon Mantell to accompany his book " Wonders of Geology" 1838. It shows the nomenclature in use during the early part of the nineteenth century

1849 The antidiluvian world by reynolds
A rare British broadsheet with contemporary hand colouring, drawn and engraved by John Emslie and published by James Reynolds in 1849

La Dame aux Camelias, 1894. Creator: Aubrey Beardsley
La Dame aux Camelias, 1894. Woman standing at a dressing table, wearing a voluminous white coat over an evening dress with peacock feather motifs

Western Counties Rugby Team: Donaldson, Hall, Birch, Ebdon, Toller, Lias, Gamlin, Bildings, May, Jarman, Thomas, Salter, Soane, Bowley, Stoyle. 1890s

Ideal scene of the Lias with Ichthyosaurus and Plesiosaurus (litho)
970865 Ideal scene of the Lias with Ichthyosaurus and Plesiosaurus (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Bedding planes and joint network in Jurassic age Blue Lias limestone and shale exposed at low tide at Nash Point, South Glamorgan Heritage Coast, Wales, September 2017

Several faults cutting through Jurassic age, Liassic Limestones (Blue Lias) near Southerndown, South Glamorgan Heritage Coast, Wales, UK. September

Prehistoric Animals Of The Lias Group, A Group In The Stratigraphy Of Great Britain, Formed During The Late Triassic To Early Jurassic Epochs And Including The Blue Lias And White Lias

Indurated lias, Shale in Basalt, in rock structure in Portru
(see WAG 3605) a view of indurated lias, Shale in Basalt, in rock structure in Portrush (dyke). (Location: Northern Ireland; County Antrim; Portrush). Date: circa early 1900s

Lias Shales at Portrush Indurated By Dykes - a side view of an escarpment showing strata alignment. (Location: Northern Ireland; County Antrim; Portrush). Date: circa early 1900s

Ichthyosaurus communis, lias, Lyme Regis, Dorsetshire coast, a view of a fossilised dinosaur. (Location: Ireland). Date: circa early 1900s

Lower Lias at Barneys Point, Islandmagee, Co. Antrim - a view of people at the edge of the tide mark. (Location: Northern Ireland; County Antrim; Islandmagee). Date: circa early 1900s

Extracrinus Briareds, Lias, Lyme Regis - a close in view of a fossilised rock from England. (Location: Ireland). Date: circa early 1900s

Rhaptic and Lower Lias Clay, Below Chalk Quarry, Cavehill - a view of exposed clay marked with an X. (Location: Northern Ireland: County Antrim: Belfast). Date: circa early 1900s

Chalk Boulders Slipping Over the Lias, Antrim Coast Rd. - an elevated view looking down to the coast road, with horse and trap, showing chalk boulders. (Location: Northern Ireland; County Antrim)

Picture No. 10893292
Blue Lias and Shale Cliff Date:

Picture No. 10893291
Blue Lias and Shale Cliff Date:

Scene during the Lias period, showing Pterodactyls, a dragonfly, Equisetums, and Tree Ferns. From The Popular Encyclopaedia (London, 1888). Engraving

Lower Lias strata C017 / 7170
Lower Lias strata. These layers of sedimentary rock are also known as the Blue Lias strata. These beds of hard limestone and clays were laid down in the early part of the Jurassic period

Oyster fossil C016 / 6001
Oyster (Gryphaea incurva) fossil. This specimen, also known as the Devils Toenail, is from Lower Lias in Gloucestershire, UK

Palaeocoma egertoni, brittle star fossil C016 / 4893
Palaeocoma egertoni, brittle star fossil. Brittle stars are related to starfish but, unlike starfish, they can crawl across the sea floor using their flexible arms

Dapedium orbicularis, fish fossil C016 / 4835
Dapedium orbicularis, fish fossil. Well-preserved example of a fossil of an enamel-scaled fish from the Early Jurassic. It was found in Lower Lias rocks in Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK

Ammonite memorial stone C013 / 6641
Ammonite memorial stone. Polished slab of marble containing Ammonite fossils. The large ammonites are Asteroceras marstonense, the small ammonites are Promicroceras marstonensis

Ammonite memorial stone C013 / 6642
Ammonite memorial stone. Slab of marble containing Ammonite fossils. The large ammonites are Asteroceras marstonense, the small ammonites are Promicroceras marstonensis

Gryphaea incurva, oyster
Fossil oyster also known as the Devils Toenail, specimen from the Lower Lias, Gloucestershire

Ophioderma egertoni (Broderip), brittlestar
Brittlestars belong to the echinoderms and are a close relative of sea stars. This specimen dates from the Middle Lias of the Jurassic from Bridport, Dorset c. 195-189 million years old

Ammonite marble
Asteroceras (large shells) and Promicroceras (small shells) ammonites, seen here in the polished surface of a specimen of marble originating from the Lower Lias, near Yeovil, Somerset

Gryphaea arcuata Lamarck, fossil oysters
About 190 million years old, found in the Lias clays and limestones of the Jurassic period. Commonly called Devils Toenails

Palaeocoma egertoni, fossil brittle star
A fossil brittle (serpent) star found in the Jurassic and Lias of England. Maximum diameter 8cm. This specimen is a well-known Echinoderm genus and similar to todays living brittle stars

Fossil ammonites used as memorial stone
Asteroceras marstonense (larger ammonites) and Promicroceras marstonensis (smaller ammonites) used as a memorial stone. Specimen originates from Spath Lower Lias, Marston Magna, Somerset, England

Dapedium orbicularis, fossil fish
A well preseved example of an enamel-scaled fish from the Lower Lias, Lyme Regis, Dorset, England

Brittle star fossils

Conybeare Plesiosaurus reconstruction
1824. Composite of letter and wrapper written by William Conybeare regarding his first scientific reconstruction of the skeletons of plesiosaur and ichthyosaur

1838 Guerin Plesiosaur reconstruction
1838 Hand coloured copperplate engraving by Fries appearing in Guerins " Dictionnaire pittoresque" showing a Plesiosaurus dolicheroides skeleton lying beneath the ground

1833 Penny Magazine extinct animals color
1833 " Organic Remains restored" front page of the Penny Magazine October 26th with wood engraving illustration and later hand colouring. (Original print black and white also available)

1823 First complete Plesiosaur fossil
" Skeleton of the Plesiosaurus dolichodeirus discovered in the Lias at Lyme Regis in 1823" Folded triple quarto plate XLVI drawn by T. Webster after original by Mary Anning

Conybeare Plesiosaurus letter & portrait. Conybeare Plesiosaurus letter & portrait
Left: Portrait William Conybeare age 65. Right: 1824 letter from William Conybeares re his first scientific reconstruction of the skeletons of plesiosaur and ichthyosaur

1833 Penny Magazine extinct animals crop
1833 October 26th " Organic Remains restored" front page of the Penny Magazine with wood engraving illustration and later hand colouring. (Original print black and white also available)

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The Lias, a geological formation dating back to 1838 as depicted in Mantell's Geological Strata Section, has captivated the minds of researchers and artists alike throughout history. In 1849, Reynolds delved into the mysteries of this ancient world in his book "The Antidiluvian World, " while Aubrey Beardsley immortalized it in his masterpiece "La Dame aux Camelias" in 1894. Even sports teams like the Western Counties Rugby Team have found inspiration from the Lias, perhaps drawing strength from its enduring presence. The Ideal scene of the Lias with Ichthyosaurus and Plesiosaurus lithograph showcases the beauty and diversity that once thrived within this formation. Examining its composition reveals fascinating details such as bedding planes and joint networks found within Jurassic age Blue Lias limestone and shale. These formations offer glimpses into Earth's history through time. However, not all is serene within the Lias; several faults cut through Jurassic age Liassic Limestones near Southerndown, reminding us of nature's powerful forces shaping our planet. Indurated lias shale embedded in basalt rock structures at Portrush further exemplify these dynamic processes. Amongst these layers lie remnants of prehistoric creatures like Ichthyosaurus communis discovered at Lyme Regis in Dorset. Lower Lias at Barneys Point unveils more secrets on Co. Antrim's Islandmagee coast where Extracrinus Briareds fossils tell tales of life long gone. From scientific study to artistic interpretation, each facet of the Lias offers a window into Earth's past—a testament to our fascination with unraveling ancient mysteries hidden beneath its indurated shales and limestone beds.