baleen whales to ancient fossil

You are looking at the remains of an ancient baleen whale. Some baleen whales are over 15 metres long. This one was probably five to six metres long. Baleen whales are filter feeders, they sieve a lot of sea water each day to collect small animals to eat (these prey animals are only a few centimetres long). The fossil whale is distantly related to modern baleen whales. This whale died millions of years ago. Pieces of the whale’s skeleton were buried on the sea floor.

The baleen whale may have looked like this. Original art by C.Gaskin - Geology Museum, University of Otago

Impressive honeycomb like lattices can be seen on some surfaces of the limestone - the result of weathering.

from the sea to the land

The land you are now standing on was once under the sea. Many animals and plants lived and died on this  prehistoric seafloor. Over a few million years, shell fragments from these creatures compacted to become limestone, while bones from vertebrates (such as whales, dolphins and penguins) became preserved within the sediment.

The limestone here is from the late Oligocene Epoch, formed 23 - 25 million years ago. Our landmass - Zealandia - was then mostly a submerged continent with only a series of small islands remaining above sea level. New Zealand is now emergent. In the last 20+ million years the limestone has been uplifted and eroded - exposing the baleen whale and other fossils.

preserving history

Many fossils, including the baleen whale fossil found here, have had only parts of the original skeleton preserved. Paleontologists are scientists who study life in the past. They are very good at looking at fossil pieces and knowing what animal they came from. Sometimes they dig out the
fossils and take them away to study. This fossil whale is protected under a Perspex barrier so you can view it where it was found.

A diagram of the baleen whale showing what bones were discovered here in relation to the rest of the body. © Ewan Fordyce

explore nearby places

explore elephant rocks

Explore impressive limestone
‘elephants’ - block remnants of an ancient seafloor where the
surrounding softer material has
been eroded away. Elephant
Rocks provides amazing photo
opportunities.

A 1 minute drive from here or 5
minute walk via the Alps 2 Ocean
Cycle Trail

discover māori rock art at takiroa & maerewhenua 

A significant landmark in the
traditions of Ngāi Tahu Whānui. These limestone overhangs were shelter for early travellers along a seasonal route up the Waitaki Valley. Imagery ranges from abstract forms, to bird and animal life, people and first 

impressions of European settlers.

A 15 minute drive from here

visit duntroon 

A heritage village where you can
take a relaxed walk through the nearby wetlands, or be ‘gaoled and bailed’ at the old Gaol. Picnic on the Village Green, or have a meal at the historic  Duntroon Hotel. Visit Nicol’s
Blacksmith - a piece of NZ history. Explore the legendary ‘Brewery Hole’, and discover the resident moa.

A 10 minute drive from here

we are part of a world-wide movement

Our Geopark is one of over 140 Geoparks around the world. A Geopark is a defined area of international geological significance which tells the story of how the geology and landscape has shaped the lives of its people, animals and plants.

take care

Anatini is on private land. Please respect this special place and take care not to cause damage. Please go quietly if animals are present and remember to shut the gates. You can help care for this site. Please pick up any rubbish. Tread lightly and leave no trace.

visit the Vanished World discovery centre

Explore the evolution of marine animals at the Vanished World Geology & Fossil Discovery Centre in nearby Duntroon. See famous marine fossils like Waipatia dolphin, with shark-like teeth, ancient whales and giant penguins. Browse the great selection of books and gifts and dig your own fossils in the ‘Discovery Room’.

A 10 minute drive from here