The small coastal town of Whitby is located in North Yorkshire, England. It has been associated with fossils for hundreds of years. From the common ammonites to the spectacular marine reptiles, a variety of fossils is waiting to be discovered. This book will help you to identify, understand and learn about the fossils encountered while fossil hunting along this stretch of coastline, bringing prehistoric Whitby back to life.

It is illustrated in colour throughout with many photographs of fossil specimens held in museum and private collections, in addition to detailed reconstructions of what some of the extinct organisms may have looked like in life. As well as the more common species, there are also sections on remarkable finds, such as giant plesiosaurs, marine crocodiles and even pterosaurs.

The book provides information on access to the sites, how to identify true fossils from pseudo fossils and even explains the best way of extracting and preparing fossils that may be encountered. This guide will be of use to both the experienced fossil collector and the absolute beginner. Take a step back in time at Whitby and see what animals once thrived here during the Jurassic Period.

Photography by Benjamin Hyde and illustrations by Nobumichi Tamura.

About the author
Dean Lomax is a palaeontologist from Doncaster, England. Dean works on palaeontological projects across the world, especially in Europe and the USA. He researches fossils and writes books, articles and peer reviewed scientific papers, which include the description of new species. He is a Visiting Scientist at The University of Manchester, UK and an Honorary Research Associate at Doncaster Museum & Art Gallery. His passion for palaeontology stems from his interest in dinosaurs from early childhood. He recently won the Mendel Gold Medal for science communication (Set for Britain, 2015).