In Goni village: the best Sardinia Graptolites
A short walk between the fossils of Goni village, where you’ll see the best conserved Sardinia Graptolites is a magical experience! Tiny animals who lived in the Silurian era (430 million years ago) now so close to you, it really is a privilege! Let’s say you…
…Sardinia is one of the oldest lands in Europe, therefore, it is the ideal place for geology enthusiasts!
Goni graptolites were discovered in 1838
Alberto Ferrero della Marmora during his trip in Sardinia in the middle of the 19 century, discovered the graptolites of Goni and he felt enchanted with. He so described them: “…black schists that can be divided into thin plates like the sheets of writing paper, which allow the footprints of these to be glimpsed on both sides, they’re so singular bodies…”
In 1857 Giuseppe Meneghini cataloged them as “Monograptus belophorus” lived exactly in the middle Wenlockian, so 430-427 million years ago!
What are the Graptolites fossils?
Today, as you can see in our photos, they appear like silver filaments embedded mostly, in schistose rocks.
They were invertebrates that inhabited the oceans floors in the Paleozoic era. The edges are serrated and the contrast with the rock that has preserved the fossil, it looks amazing!
In the village of Goni there are the unique stratigraphies of the planet, not so bad! Isn’t it? In Sardinia, actually, there are 156 different species of Graptolites! So, you can imagine why Sardinia is a popular destination for geologists and fossils lovers.
Where are the Sardinia graptolites located?
The small village of Goni and the “Su Peinconi” Park are located in southern Sardinia at just 65km (41 miles) north-east far away from Cagliari (Sardinia chief town) and Ca ‘del Sol, so, it’s a perfect day-trip especially in spring or autumn. This is a territory dense, also, of archaeological sites such as the Pranu Muttedu Park, a spectacular “Sardinian-stonehenge” but much older!
Here is the map for you…
The Park is located on the northern outskirts of Goni, in a suggestive oak grove. Walking on a paved path with rocks dense of graptolites you will reach the park guests centre which is a building entirely built with blocks of schist, where you will be able to observe hundreds of ancient Monograptus belophorus 🙂
If you need any infos or tips, feel free, to drop us a line! We’ll be happy to help you!
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Texts and Photos by Daniela and Michele © 2022/2023 for CadelSol.net
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