In 1967 Shiva Balak Misra, a graduate student at Memorial University of Newfoundland, and his field assistant Paul Thompson, made an extraordinary discovery at Mistaken Point, a rocky headland jutting into the Atlantic Ocean. The place is so named because on several terrible occasions ships travelling east from continental North America to St. John’s or ports north, mistook the Point for Cape Race, turned northwards and wrecked on the rocks. Today the place is world famous for its abundant, diverse and well-preserved fossil assemblages—the oldest fossils of complex life forms found anywhere on earth.

579 to 542 million years ago (over 300 million years before the dinosaurs) a chain of volcanoes spewed ash that sank into deep water and settled soft-bodied sea creatures living upon the ocean floor. The ash killed these organisms and then preserved impressions of them as it was buried by additional layers of sediment. Eons later, a combination of tectonic uplift, Pleistocene glaciations and marine erosion has resulted in the exposure of these fossils. Known to scientists as the Ediacara Biota (Edi-ak-ara-By-oh-ta), they are named for the Ediacara Hills in South Australia, where the first large examples were discovered in 1946. These ashes can also be radiometrically dated—by precisely measuring the ratio of uranium and its decay product lead contained by individual tiny crystals of zircon found within an ash, its age can be accurately determined.

In 1987, a 9-kilometer stretch of coastline at Mistaken Point was established as Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve under the management of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
In 2003, following the discovery of more fossils along the coast northwest of Mistaken Point, an emergency extension was added to the original protected area. On March 17, 2009, this extension became a permanent part of the reserve. Since 2004, in recognition of the global significance of its fossil resources, Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve has been on Canada's official Tentative List of potential World Heritage properties. Work has begun on the Reserve's forthcoming application for full UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Public access to Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve's globally significant fossil-bearing surfaces is by official guided tour ONLY. Visitors are reminded that the collection or attempted collection of fossils or rock specimens in the Reserve is strictly prohibited. To enhance fossil protection and public safety and reduce cliff-top erosion, two-thirds of the Reserve's coastline is designated as a Fossil Protection Zone. Entry to the Fossil Protection Zone—which extends 15 metres inland from the cliff/turf edge—is by permit or guided tour ONLY. Please note that dogs cannot be included on tours to the fossil sites.

The Province's Parks and Natural Areas Division operates at least one free guided tour from Mistaken Point each day from late May to early October. These tours, which leave from the Edge of Avalon Interpretive Centre, last approximately 3.5 hours and include a 45 minute walk (one way) to the fossil site. For more information about these tours, call the Interpretive Centre at Portugal Cove South (709-438-1100) and ask to speak to one of the Reserve's Interpreters. For Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve permit requirements with respect to scientific research, educational tour groups, commercial operators or the Reserve's Fossil Protection Zone visit http://www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/parks/wer/r_mpe/index.html and click on the appropriate link. The Reserve Manager can be contacted at: 709-438-1012 or richardthomas@gov.nl.ca.

Photos
To see photos of the site, click here and for more information about the fossils, see the Queens University site at link