Between history and contemporaneous geology : revisiting a "classical" (geo) site from the Upper Cretaceous of Portugal

Abstract

The history of geology intends to research biographies, ideas and controversies that have contributed to the epistemological building of knowledge, and to the products of fieldwork and laboratory investigation, and related written production on geosciences. A transversal research of all these elements allows revealing itineraries, outcrops and sites where pioneer studies have been done.Many of them still exist nowadays and are suitable for teaching and outreach activities of geoscientific literacy. An excellent example of this close link between history of geology and geoheritage can be explored in the “classical” outcrops of Salmanha (Figueira da Foz,West Central Portugal), where highly fossiliferous Upper Cretaceous carbonate units have been studied since the mid 19th century. Extensively described by Paul Choffat, from 1886 onwards, its stratigraphic sections and Cenomanian-Turonian faunas were major contributions for the scientific knowledge of that time, and can still be used as a source of information for modern workers and as an important resource for teaching and touristic activities.