This book, widely praised for its coverage and approach in describing and illustrating 14 well known fossil sites from around the world, is now full updated with 6 new chapters and many new colour illustrations. A beautifully illustrated study of fossil sites from different periods providing a picture of the evolution of ecosystems down the ages.

This book describes the main Fossil Lagerstätten (sites of exceptional fossil preservation) from around the world in chronological order. It covers the history of research, stratigraphy and taphonomy, main faunal and floral elements, and the palaeoecology of each site and gives a comparison with coeval sites around the world. It includes well-known fossil sites, such as the Burgess Shale, the Solnhofen Limestone, Mazon Creek, Rancho La Brea, etc., and includes an appendix giving information on how to visit the sites and where to see the fossils in museum displays.