A quest for hidden treasures in Miguasha National Park

As a child, I loved to dig in the earth in search of hidden treasures. I’d search entire rock piles for THE perfectly preserved shell fossil. I’d display my discoveries on a shelf in my bedroom. Over the years, I’ve retained that same curiosity to understand and explore our world.

Day 79 of my solo bicycle trip across Canada.

That day, I set off for Miguasha National Park, excited by the prospect of seeing fossils dating back 370 million years. And I’m not disappointed! The exhibition “From Water to Land” fascinates me from start to finish. I even pull out my camera as we approach the famous Prince of Miguasha. In appearance, this Eusthenopteron foordi fossil doesn’t impress as much as, say, a T-Rex. But its characteristics have interested researchers around the world for decades. 

In fact, Miguasha National Park is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites: “The site is of paramount importance because it has the largest number and the best-preserved fossil specimens in the world of sarcopterygian fish, which gave rise to the first four-legged, air-breathing terrestrial vertebrates—the tetrapods.” 

And after theory, it’s time for practice, with a visit to the fossil site near the beach. There, I have the good fortune to meet paleontologist Olivier Matton at work. Armed with his profiled hammer, he expertly separates strips of rock in search of hidden treasures. A few years after our meeting, his patience and perseverance earned him an incredible surprise: Olivier was part of the team that discovered the world’s very first complete fossil of Elpistostege watsoni. 

Elpistostege watsoni what?
For ages, scientists have been searching for the missing link in evolutionary history to better understand the transition of vertebrates from water to land. Even as analysis continues, this might just be the missing link. Welcome to the King of Miguasha!