Paleocene Epoch
56 - 66 million years ago
Brief Overview of the Paleocene Epoch
Eon: Phanerozoic
Era: Cenozoic
Period: Paleogene
Followed by: Neogene Period
Preceded by: Cretaceous Period
Formation: Aquia
Range: In the Mid-Atlantic, river beaches and cliffs exposed in Virginia and Maryland.
Fossil Types: Marine fossils and reptile bones found in the Aquia Formation matrix.
Description: The Paleocene Epoch immediately followed the mass extinction of the dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous Period. During the Paleocene, smaller reptiles and mammals began to evolve. The marine environment of the Aquia Formation was typifed by a shallow sea near a shoreline where sharks, turtles, crocodiles, and bi-valves abounded.
Aquia Formation Fossil Identification
See the images below for some examples of finds we've made at various sites.
For a more detailed pictorial ID guide for the Aquia Formation click here to access the Fossil Guy's website
For an in-depth shark tooth ID site click here to access the Elasmo site
