'Smiling' fossil discovered on Holy Island
The unusual looking fossil is estimated to be a few hundred million years old dating to the Carboniferous period.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"I saw this fossil smiling at me - it's the first set of teeth I have found."
— Christine Clark , Other
"He arrived on the island in 670s as a monk coming to the priory, he [was] buried here and miracles took place around his shrine."
— Dr Frances McIntosh , Academic
"The stem consists of these little discs, called ossicles, and what Christine has found is a number of these ossicles connected together, in what is called a columnal."
— Dr Jan Hennissen , Academic
Key People
All Coverage
The unusual looking fossil is estimated to be a few hundred million years old dating to the Carboniferous period.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
Whale graveyard dating back five million years discovered
The Indian Ocean site is "far beyond anything we had imagined", one researcher says.
June 10, 2026 at 06:24 PMHenry Moore works to be unveiled at botanic garden
The botanic garden says the pieces aim to encourage visitors to reflect on nature and humanity.
June 5, 2026 at 05:22 AMRare footage captured of Great White shark in Mediterranean Sea
A volunteer diver has described shaking as he filmed his encounter with an endangered Great White shark between Tunisia and Sicily.
June 8, 2026 at 06:09 AMRare tiger cub from litter of four dies
These Sumatran tigers are the first of this breed to be welcomed at the animal park in Kent.
June 10, 2026 at 08:29 AMMan dies after bitten by shark in Western Australia, police say
The man was spearfishing off Michaelmas Island with his family, according to local reports.
June 6, 2026 at 08:20 AMSir Mick Jagger performs impromptu pub gig
The Rolling Stone frontman was spotted at the Half Moon in St Clements.
June 10, 2026 at 04:25 PM