First discovery Mary Anning was born into poverty in Lyme Regis, England. She received little education, and spent much of her time combing the seashore for shells to sell. In 1811, she and her brother found a crocodile-like skeleton. It was later identified as an ICHTHYOSAUR, or “fish lizard” – the first complete specimen ever found.
Mary Anning The amateur FOSSIL HUNTER who became a pioneering palaeontologist Fossil finder The cliffs near where Anning lived were rich in prehistoric fossils. She made many more IMPORTANT FINDINGS, including the first plesiosaur (a swimming reptile) and an early pterosaur (a flying reptile). Her discoveries challenged the religious view of creation and proved how different creatures had lived and evolved over time.
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An ichthyosaur fossil embedded in rock.
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Fossil of an ammonite
Plesiosaur fossil 29
