Scientists come to Miguasha

It was shortly after 1880 that Canadian paleontologists first published their findings on the “Scaumenac Bay fossils”, as Miguasha fossils were called at that time. The site quickly became known among scientific circles around the world, and people began clamouring for some of these beautiful Gaspesian fossils. Researchers from universities and large museums, and private collectors alike, yearned to acquire specimens.

(40 kb)In response to the demand, and for many decades afterward, international expedition teams visited the Gaspé to collect fossils from Escuminac Bay. Research teams would stay on the beach for several weeks and, with the help of local fossil diggers, filled crates with specimens before heading back with their treasures to famous museums and scientific institutions. The study of these Devonian fossils became a worldwide effort, and some of the collections were used to establish paleontology schools.

Many of the world’s foremost paleontologists benefited from Miguasha’s fossil wealth, and their findings helped advance our understanding of past life. Some of these historically important figures included Woodward of the British Museum of Natural History in London, Traquair of the Royal Scottish Museum in Edinburgh, Patten of Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, Hussakoff of the New York State Museum, Romer of the University of Chicago, Stensiö of the Natural History Museum in Stockholm, Sweden, Davis and Arnold of the University of Michigan, and Graham-Smith and Westoll from England. (44 kb)Many among them also participated in the field work, picking among the rocks on Miguasha’s beach.

Miguasha residents quickly became accustomed to the presence of these foreigners. Some had an instinctive knowledge of the cliff, like the Plourde family, and offered their services as fossil diggers, becoming valuable collaborators for the expedition teams. Others, like the family of Théodore Landry, offered visitors their hospitality by providing lodging and food.

And so it went, from 1879 to 1972, with scientists from around the world visiting the cliff to build up museum and research centre collections using specimens from the Escuminac Formation. Eventually, over the years, the many international expeditions and ensuing studies helped affirm the Gaspé Peninsula’s reputation as a place of outstanding fossil heritage.