Taking a close look at the remains of a cement works at Mornington can easily turn into probing ancient geological formations and life forms.
Fossil Beach, which lies at the end of a short path off the Esplanade just north of Bentons Road, has long interested historians and geologists, but an insight into its history is now revealed to the public with new interpretive signs.
The four signs tell the story of Aboriginal use of the area, the value of clay deposits discovered in the mid-1800s for making cement, and the fossils embedded in the clay dating back five to fifteen million years.
Visiting Fossil Beach with Ian Stevenson, convenor of the Fossil Beach Interest Group, and Mornington Peninsula Shire’s natural systems project officer, Gerard Cook provides a running commentary and descriptions of ancient and relatively modern history of Fossil Beach and how it may have appeared millions of years ago.
They are quick to add that much of the ancient history of the rocky beach and scrub-covered foreshore is pure conjecture, although there’s no doubting the fossil evidence – mainly shells, corals, tiny bones and teeth – which can be dated.
One of the most striking things about the shells pointed out by Stevenson and Cook is their familiarity. While some are extinct, others resemble shells found on the seashore today, although their colours are faded. Some of the ancient shells are now only found in warmer waters.
When asked why the fossils are on the surface, Stevenson points seawards and simply replies: “Selwyn Fault.”
Gerard Cook and Ian Stevenson are involved in educating the public about the historical treasures found at Fossil Beach, Mornington. Ian Stevenson and Gerard Cook with one of the kilns built to make cement in the 1860s.
It seems the clay in which the 5-15 million-year-old fossils are found was brought to the surface along this small section of beach by the SelwynsFault and the adjoining Fossil Beach fault. This area is seismically active and estimated to be capable of producing 7.5 magnitude earthquakes.
The clay, which is so interesting to geologists, caught the eye of government geological surveyor Alfred Selwyn in the early 1850s and, in 1862, James Robertson.
Robertson, an architect living in St Kilda, saw the commercial possibilities of the clay and the harder limestone nodules, called septaria, which could be used to make cement.
The septaria at Fossil Beach was thought suitable for cement, especially cement that could set under water, or Roman cement.
The resulting cement works – the first in Victoria – operated for about two years, eventually failing during a recession in Melbourne and lack of raw material in commercial quantities.
The remains of the cement works were the scene of an archeological dig in 1968, headed by University of Melbourne historian William (Bill) Culican. The dig commissioned by the then Shire of Mornington was credited as being the first archaeological dig of an industrial site in Australia.
Members of Culican’s family attended the unveiling of the new signs on Saturday 4 May, as part of the National Trust Heritage festival.
Stevenson, who spoke at that ceremony, said the remains of the cement works and the clay deposits at Fossil Beach had been recognised as being of state importance.
“Protection of the significant fossil beds is critical for awareness raising, but also conservation for future generations,” he said.
He said Museum Victoria was still conducting scientific research into the fossil layers and examples from Fossil Beach were displayed at the museum.
Fossils preserved in muddy marine layers exposed at Fossil Beach.
Stevenson said some concerns had been raised about fossils being dug up and removed from the beach and that “protection of all site values is paramount”.
For more information about the Fossil Beach Interest Group email Gerard Cook at gerard.cook@mornpen.vic.gov.au or visit mornpen.vic.gov.au and search “Fossil Beach”.