Joggins Fossil Cliffs: UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site at Joggins, Nova Scotia, Canada

The Joggins Fossil Cliffs

Welcome to the Joggins Fossil Cliffs on the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia, Canada, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

These magnificently exposed layers of rock reveal the world’s most complete fossil record of life in the “Coal Age” when lush forests covered Joggins and much of the world's tropics, 300 million years ago.

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The swamp forests produced massive quantities of organic matter that, over millions of years, created the coal deposits for which this period of history is named.

Embedded in 15 kilometres of accessible coastal cliffs, rare fossils like this Dendrerpeton acadianum reveal details of life in the “Coal Age”.

The Joggins Fossil Centre

The Joggins Fossil Centre is situated on the reclaimed site of the Old Joggins No. 7 Coal Mine overlooking the Joggins Fossil Cliffs. The Centre provides an exceptional learning experience, featuring an extensive fossil specimens collection, exhibits, and displays depicting

the rich geological history of the Joggins Cliffs
the history of scientific discovery at Joggins
the history of coal mining that shaped the local community.

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For Visitors

Explore the magnificent Joggins Fossil Cliffs with our interpretive staff. The Cliffs will reveal rare fossils from the “Coal Age” — that “marvelous chapter” of earth’s history written 300 million years ago.

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For Teachers & Students

Beachcombing has never been as fun or educational! Every rock on the beach below the Cliffs could hold a clue to the mysteries of life 100 million years before dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Look closely!

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For Researchers

We invite you to investigate our world-class collection of the fossil biodiversity of Joggins, some of which is found nowhere else on earth.

Our lab facilities, office space, and meeting rooms are open to you.

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The Joggins Fossil Institute

The Joggins Fossil Institute has been developed to aid in the promotion and development of the Joggins Fossil Cliffs and to protect, conserve, present, and transmit to future generations the values of this wonderful place.

The Joggins Fossil Institute will be a world leader in communicating research (and the collections of the Province of Nova Scotia) to increase understanding of the natural diversity in the Carboniferous Period and protecting and conserving the natural fossil heritage.

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