Fossil Hunting (La Peninsula)

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Fossil Hunting La Península

The Anconcito bitumen cliffs contain marine fossils in their sedimentary layers — accessible at low tide, free, and genuinely unusual.

Overview

The Anconcito bitumen cliffs — the naturally occurring oil-seep headlands on the south side of the Anconcito fishing port — are composed of sedimentary rock layers that contain marine fossils from ancient ocean-floor deposits. These include shell impressions, marine invertebrate fossils, and occasional vertebrate remains.

Access is at low tide, walking along the base of the cliffs from Anconcito port. The bitumen (natural asphalt) seeps that give the cliffs their name are visible as dark patches on the cliff face and in the rock pools — these natural hydrocarbon outcrops predate Ecuador's oil industry by millions of years.

Access

• Walk from Anconcito port toward the south headland
• Low tide is essential — the cliff base is covered at high tide
• Wear sturdy shoes; the rocks are uneven and slippery where wet
• No facilities; bring water

Notes

• Fossil collection from protected areas may be restricted — photograph rather than collect
• The site is also good for tide pool exploring and viewing the natural bitumen seeps
• The cliffs are unstable in places — do not approach or climb the cliff face

See Also

• Anconcito — Location guide
• Tide Pool Exploring — same site
• Outdoor Activities (La Peninsula) — full activities index