 Eventually, weather
changes precipitated the swamp's disappearance, but by then the layer of fossilized snail
shells was forty centimeters thick, resting on ten centimeters of lignite below which is
the subsoil. Because of geographic
upheaval, this Shelly limestone is now distributed in great broken sheets of
impressive magnitude on the seashore at Laem Pho.
The
Cemetery of Shell- the World Mollusk Fossil Site
This is one place in the
world where the mollusk is very preserved. In fact it has been known to be the only site
left on earth. The shell cemetery is estimated at 75 million years old.
The "Cemetery" is a flat platform of fossil exposed along the shorelines. This
site is at the cape of Ban Lean Pho in the Muang District.
 This
"platform" represents layers of shells built up over the times and deposited one
on top of another. The separations between the layers are tell tales signs of the weather
prevailing at that era when it was deposited.
The thickness of the fossil
bed varies from 1-2 meters. Most of the fossils are under water within the shallow bay.
 The
features of the fossils are distinct on much part and clearly identified as made up of
Gastropods. There are 3 principal’s species detected, with the largest one being
Viviparus sp.
These gastropods with
Bivalves, spores and pollen are carefully preserved in calcareous clay stone while various
sedimentary deposits then separate these layers over the eras. Tests have interpreted such
deposit were made in the freshwater laccustrine environment.
With others studies conducted
of the district, it is concluded that the mollusk present could indeed had lived between
20-40 millions year ago. At that time the climate was warm. It facilitated the growth of
abundance of living organism in the swamps forested by several kind of trees.Time had seen
the accumulation and overlaying swamp sediments on these layers of shells.
 The
lithification and compaction processes here were unique that resulted in a special
phenomenon we are able to witness.The last global warming had caused the sea level to rise
and the seawater flooding into the inland area. This cape we see now was just an island.
As weather normalized, the seawater receded and until to the present day’s level.
With the receding coastline, present days landforms such as beaches, sand lagoons and
tidal flats were gradually shaped until what we see as it is.
The latest change that is likely to destroy the fossil will be the effects of the wave
action against the whole site.
 The
Government is very anxious to promote the idea of conservation. Particularly the Marine
Parks that has attracted so many visitors to this area. The office here provide visitors
with the opportunity of seeing other unique plants.
On the left, a Calabashi Tree and a Staghorn Fern on the right.
Back to more views of the fossil site itself
The walkway from the Park's
office leading down to the beach and fossil site.
The exposed mudflats revealing its secrets
 
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