Crinoids
What was it?
Crinoids are an animal that lived in the sea. They are echinoderms and you usually see parts of their broken stems as cylindrical “beads” called ossicles fossilized in the rocks. They are perhaps the one of the most common fossils you will find on rocky foreshores of Northumberland. They are sometimes called sea lilies.
How old is it?
The fossils of crinoids we find in Northumberland are from the Carboniferous period, so around 325 million years old. But crinoids go back much further – 500 million years ago in fact to the Cambrian period.
Where did it live?
In fairly shallow seas. Their stalk/stem was attached to a rocky sea bottom. They are used by geologists as an indicator of marine conditions.
Where are the fossils found?
They are usually found fossilized in limestone. Good places to look are rocky foreshores along the coast.
Are these animals still alive today?
They are related to the modern sea urchin and starfish and 600 different types of their relatives are still alive today.