Fossil Detectives coming to BBC 2

Fossil Detectives has been so succesful on BBC 4 that it is now getting a high profile second run on BBC Two starting at 7pm on Friday 24th October 2008.


'Hermione Cockburn breathes life into British fossils, stirring up the sediment of palaeontology to take us on an exciting whirlwind journey of discovery."

You can now buy the book which accompanies this series.

Release the fossil detective in you and join the experts, presenter Hermione Cockburn and renowned palaeontologist Douglas Palmer, as they set out to tell the best fossil stories from around the country, travelling through time to unlock the puzzling secrets of ancient life in Britain.

When and why were dinosaur fossils first discovered in Britain?

How was the biggest fish ever to have swum in the sea

unearthed near Peterborough?

Since the appearance of primitive organisms in these islands more than a billion years ago, Britain has been transformed as oceans, deserts, swamps and vast mountains have come and gone. Fossils hold the key to discovering these lost worlds, to understanding the dinosaurs as well as other long-extinct plants and animals. Fossils can provide the answers to tantalising questions about Britain’s prehistoric past and inspire the explorer in all of us. Fossil Detectives is an accessible, indispensable guide for curious minds and fossil enthusiasts alike.

Accompanying the BBC2 TV series from the award-winning BBC Natural History Unit, Fossil Detectives is packed with over 150 vivid colour images, including striking photographs and stunning illustrations, and provides an in-depth look at the most exciting fossil stories from history as well as cutting edge modern day science. It also includes an extensive regional gazetteer of fossil-hunting locations and places to visit, and practical guidance on how to identify your fossil finds. It is a wonderful title for all the family to enjoy.

So take a journey back in time to prehistoric Britain and discover a whole new country and history.

Fossil Detectives doing well on BBC4

Fossil Detectives is doing brilliantly with an audience of 158,000 which for BBC FOUR at 19.30 is pretty good. As a big sign of recognition it's already had three really positive previews/Pick of the Days.
Below are the highlights...

For the first programme:
EVENING STANDARD
“The Beeb’s doing well at inventing telegenic young female science presenters… she’s endearingly enthusiastic especially as she gets to interview telly wildlife God Sir David Attenborough.”
THE TIMES
This entertaining new 8 part series follows the scientist ( and regular Adam Hart-Davis cohort) Hermione Cockburn and her team as they tour the UK…..
For this weeks’ second programme...
THE TIMES
“More dinosaurs in the second in this well-made 8-part series… and you can see David Attenborough get all misty eyed as he caresses the vertebrae of a long-lost Diplodocus.”
 
Visit the website for more fascinating information on the world of Palaeontology, and to hear more "Favourite Fossil Stories"
http://www.open2.net/fossildetectives/

Click below to hear Prof Richard Fortey describe his favourite fossil

Fossil Detectives starts Aug 21st

The Open University and BBC Present Fossil Detectives
The brand new series starts next week, Thursday 21st August 2008
7.30pm on BBC Four

Visit the Fossil Detectives website now at http://www.open2.net/fossildetectives/index.html
 Featuring series and programme summaries, and exclusive online clips from amongst others, Sir David Attenborough, Billy Bragg and Richard Fortey.

Also available online - your free 40 page Fossil Detectives Field Guide.

Coming soon and published by BBC Books -
The Fossil Detectives - Discovering Prehistoric Britain - By Hermione Cockburn and Douglas Palmer
Out 4th September 2008

Get ready for some time travel with the Fossil Detectives
The series will broadcast in the following order -

Central England Thursday 21st August - 7.30pm BBC Four

London Thursday 28th August - 7.30pm BBC Four

West and Wales Thursday 4th September - 7.30pm BBC Four

North of England Thursday 11th September - 7.30pm BBC Four

South West England Thursday 18th September - 7.30pm BBC Four

East of England Thursday 25th September - 7.30pm BBC Four

Scotland Thursday 2nd October - 7.30pm BBC Four

 South of England Thursday 9th October - 7.30pm BBC Four
Times and dates may change so please check listings

Coming Soon: Fossil Detectives on BBC4

There has been life in Britain for more than a billion years, and when dinosaurs roamed our land and strange sea monsters swam in our seas, they left fascinating clues behind. Fossils hold the key to discovering the mysteries of ancient life, and provide a tantalizing glimpse of worlds long gone. The Fossil Detectives are on a journey throughout the British Isles, piecing together the clues that unlock the secrets of Britain’s extraordinary past.

Fossil Detectives is a brand new eight part series showcasing Britain’s amazing wealth of fossil remains. Produced by the prestigious BBC Natural History Unit, the series is fronted by Coast presenter Hermione Cockburn, an Open University specialist with a life long interest in fossils. Hermione is joined by a team of regular Fossil Detectives – world renowned scientist and Britain’s number one dinosaur expert Dr Phil Manning; James Wong, a botanist from Kew Gardens, and an expert on the evolution of plants; and Dr Anjana Khatwa, a glacial geologist and the education co-ordinator of Britain’s Jurassic Coast.

Throughout the series they’ll be joined by some famous fossil fans: Alex James, bassist of Britpop legends Blur; songwriter and campaigner Billy Bragg; and they have two interviews with the world’s most famous naturalist - Sir David Attenborough.

Each packed episode is based in a different region of Britain, breathing life into the country’s most spectacular fossil finds, and discovering how fossils are at the cutting edge of scientific research. Fossils touch our lives in subtle and intriguing ways; Fossil Detectives explores the sometimes philosophical and emotional connection we have with fossils, how they impact on our everyday lives, and even what fossils can reveal about our future. Fossil Detectives also explores the best places in the country for you to search out and find your own fossils - a rough guide to the best and safest ways to make your own amazing discoveries.

Fossils are the tangible remains of once living and breathing animals and plants; they link us to past distant worlds, worlds which can actually reveal so much about the present, and the way we live our lives today. Fossils are the ghosts of our planet’s incredible history, transporting us back through time, and inspiring the explorer in all of us. So get ready for some time travel with the Fossil Detectives.

Find out more on the official Open University website.