Moray's pioneering fossil hunter

An amateur female geologist from Moray has been honoured for her pioneering role in collecting fossils.

Eliza Maria Gordon-Cumming, who was born in 1795, lived in an era when the prevailing wisdom stated the world had been created in just seven days.

Her efforts, however, were to play an important part in revealing both the full complexity and sheer length of the Earth's history.

Eliza, a member of Scotland's aristocracy, came to live on the Altyre estate near Forres, after marrying Sir William Gordon-Cumming.

At the time her mother warned her not to turn into "a squashy milk cow and let women prose to you all day long about cake and candles and clothes".

And Eliza certainly didn't.

A keen horticulturalist, she first redesigned the gardens at Altyre.

Then, in around 1839, she became fascinated by the fossils that were being unearthed at the estate's sandstone quarries.

As well as collecting them herself she also gave instructions to the workmen to bring her any that they found.

Soon her collection included a large number of fossil fish from what's known as the Devonian period.

Often dubbed the 'Age of Fishes', this geological era stretches from 412million years ago to 358million, and coincides with the first examples of fish-like creatures adapting to life on dry land as their pelvic fins gradually evolved into legs.

Eliza began to correspond with the most famous geologists of the time, and several journeyed to Moray in order to view her collection.

Hugh Miller, the leading Scottish geologist and a fascinating character in his own right, wrote: "Lady Cumming had studied the remains with great care, and prepared a series of drawings of all the most perfect specimens with a precision of detail and artistic talent, which few naturalists can hope to attain."

After visiting Moray, another geologist even went so far as to name a species Cheirolepis Cummingae in Eliza's honour.

She was helped in illustrating the fossils by Anne, who was one of her six daughters.

Meanwhile, added to that, Eliza also had no fewer than six sons.

Excited by all the new discoveries being made upon the estate, and while pregnant for the 13th time, she wrote: "I am breathless to be at work again."

But, suddenly, Eliza's efforts were to be cut short just as she had established a name for herself in scientific circles.

She died on April 21, 1842, due to complications following the birth.

Many of the fossils collected at Altyre are now held by the National Museum of Scotland and by the Natural History Museum in London.

NatureScot has today published an updated version of its Scottish Fossil Code, which is a guide for how to search for and look after fossils.

And to mark the launch, the organisation is celebrating Eliza and other women who have played a significant role in the discovery of fossils.

Dr Elsa Panciroli is a research fellow at the University of Oxford and also a trustee of the Scottish Geology Trust.

She said: "The inspiring female fossil collectors of the past couldn’t officially study the specimens they found, because scientific careers were effectively closed to women. Their contributions were nonetheless foundational to palaeontology, and deserve to be recognised.

"Growing up in the Scottish Highlands, I loved looking at rocks, but I had no idea that there were any fossils so close to home. Now with the internet people know where to find them, but may not know how to search in a way that protects our geological heritage – the fossil code provides this information."

Two other female pioneers are also being honoured by NatureScot.

They are the fossil illustrator Phoebe Anna Traquair (1852-1936) and Elizabeth Gray (1831-1924) who was renowned for her extensive collecting in the Girvan area, which she did until the age of 92.

Biodiversity Minister Lorna Slater said: "Fossils are a window through which scientists can see and understand what Earth was like millions of years ago.

"They provide clues as to how animal and plant life evolved over the millennia and studying them may unlock solutions to the climate and nature emergencies that we face today.

"The updated Fossil Code is an important step in ensuring that these valuable artefacts are handled with the utmost care.

"It's welcome news that the women who played vital roles in unlocking the mysteries of the past are finally getting the recognition that they deserve. Their contribution to our understanding of Scotland’s natural history and geology is extensive and should be celebrated at every opportunity.

"I hope that these brave pioneers encourage more women and girls to get involved in these crucial areas of research."