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BRLSI Online Museum - JESBI

 

The Jurassic Ecosystem Of Strawberry Bank Ilminster Project.

Welcome to the JESBI project pages, visit the various sections by following the links on the right or go straight to our most recent news.

 

The Jurassic Ecosystem of Strawberry Bank Ilminster (JESBI) project is a three year collaboration between Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution and the Palaeobiology and Biodiversity Research Group (University of Bristol).

Beneath the houses of the Somerset town of Ilminster lies a beautifully preserved Jurassic ecosystem.
A basement in central Bath is home to hundreds of fossils, excavated from this hidden treasure trove over 150 years ago.

Not only are there many fossils from this site, but they show exceptional preservation. Many anatomical features that are very rarely preserved are common in the fossils from this site. Soft tissues such as muscles, guts, and traces of skin, allow scientists unusual opportunities to learn more about some fascinating extinct creatures.

For the first time since their discovery, the exquisite fossils of extinct marine reptiles, fish, crustaceans, squid-like cephalopods, and insects are to be intensively studied.

 

 

 

 

The JESBI project is a partnership between BRLSI and the Palaeoibiology and Biodiversity Research Group, University of Bristol. It is funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation,

 

 

Freshly Prepared Fish

We have just uploaded two spectacular fossils to the JESBI gallery, showing the detailed preparatory work undertaken by Lorie Barber.

New Paper on Strawberry Bank Ichthyosaurs Published

An academic paper entitled "Ichthyosauria from the Upper Lias of Strawberry Bank, England" has been published recently, which focuses upon an extensive description of eight remarkably preserved ichthyosaurs from the BRLSI's collection.

Did you know...

Genius!

Intellect in the Bath area has always been high. On 31st December 1780 Edmund Rack commented, "this institution promises much rational improvement and instruction; and has a much more favourable beginning than the Royal Society in London had 100 years ago - there being only 5 members for more than two years: and those 5 not superior in learning and genius to most of our members". 11 Members went on to become Fellows of the Royal Society!

Curatorial Curiosities

brain coral, <i>Diploria labyrinthiformis</i>

Labyrinthiform Anthozoan: This brain coral, Diploria labyrinthiformis, is a reef building coral from tropical areas of the west Atlantic Ocean. It is a member of the class Anthozoa (a name derived from the latin for "flower-animal") within the phylum Cnidaria (a name derived from the latin for "sea-nettle").