South Carolina, US

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Quaternary
Tertiary
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Dates (mya)
Time Scale Legend

State Fossil:

There is no official state fossil for this state. Encourage your state legislature to adopt one today!

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Paleontology and geology

The Precambrian: Precambrian rocks are exposed in the northwestern portion of the state. These rocks are metamorphic and igneous and contain no known fossils.

The Paleozoic: The only known Paleozoic rocks in South Carolina are found in a single Cambrian-age outcrop near Batesburg in the southwestern part of the state. These rocks contain a number of species of trilobites, indicating that marine conditions existed in this part of South Carolina in the early Paleozoic.

The Mesozoic: The only Mesozoic rocks present in South Carolina are Cretaceous in age. These rocks are marine in origin and contain fossils of tube-making worms, oysters, and other marine animals. Recently, several dinosaur teeth and pieces of bone have been found in the eastern part of the state, representing remains that had washed into the sea.

The Cenozoic: The Cenozoic is well represented in South Carolina, particularly in the southeastern half of the state. Climate fluctuated during the Tertiary before a final warming period in the Late Tertiary. Fossils of both marine and terrestrial organisms, such as whales and large crocodilians, indicate that the climate was tropical to subtropical at that time, much like the climate of modern Florida. The sea level fluctuated during the Quaternary, as did the climate. Fossil pollen from jack pine provides evidence of cooler temperatures, while fossil representatives of modern species indicate times of more moderate conditions.

Links to more on South Carolina paleontology

Organizations | Education and Exhibits | Research and Collections

Organizations

Government Agencies (showing 1 of 1 listings)

South Carolina Geological Survey: The SCGS website offers maps, publications, and posters pertaining to the state's geology.

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Education and Exhibits

Physical Exhibits (showing 3 of 3 listings)

South Carolina State Museum: The museum's collections include Mesozoic and Cenozoic fossils from around the state. The Pleistocene collection is particularly strong. 

Bob Campbell Geology Museum, Clemson University: The museum illustrates geologic principles with southeastern US and global examples, and demonstrates interrelationships between geology, botany and the human experience. The museum has a growing fossil collection.

The Charleston Museum: Current exhibitions include mounted skeletons of prehistoric animals from Tertiary marine beds near Charleston, as well as Thescelosaurus neglectus, a Cretaceous plant-eating dinosaur. 

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Research and Collections

Ongoing Research Projects (showing 1 of 1 listings)

Fossils of Myrtle Beach: I would love to have you join Fossils of MB and help with identifying the fossils.

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