Richard Fortey discovers a crucial trilobite fossil at age 14
- Richard Fortey was only ten years old when he first discovered fossil remains during a school trip.
- Significant inspiration struck during a family holiday in Pembrokeshire, where he found an old map leading to trilobite fossils.
- Fortey's discovery of a complete trilobite at age 14 profoundly influenced his future career in paleontology.
In Pembrokeshire, Wales, Richard Fortey's journey into paleontology began during a family holiday. At the age of ten, he became fascinated with fossils after discovering an ammonite while on a school trip. Four years later, a fortuitous visit to a guesthouse revealed an old map detailing locations where fossils could be found, including trilobites. These extinct arthropods, often compared to woodlice, existed around 500 million years ago, and their distinctive three-lobed shells captured Fortey's attention. For the remainder of his vacation, he dedicated his time to fossil hunting on a local beach, where he eventually unearthed his first complete trilobite. This singular moment became a pivotal point in his life, deeply influencing his choice of career as a palaeontologist. Fortey's subsequent work at the Natural History Museum underscores the significance of his early discovery in redefining the prehistoric world through meticulous research and impressive fossil collections. Fortey's legacy continues to inspire young paleontologists, demonstrating how a single discovery can set the course for a lifelong passion in science.