Taynton Limestone Formation
The Taynton Limestone is a geological formation in Oxfordshire in the United Kingdom. It dates to the Middle Jurassic, mid-Bathonian stage. It predominantly consists of ooidal grainstone. The term "Stonesfield Slate" refers to slaty limestone horizons within the formation that during the 18th and 19th centuries were extensively quarried for use in roof tiling within the vicinity of Stonesfield, Oxfordshire. Previously these were thought to belong to the Sharp's Hill Formation, but boreholes and shaft sections suggest that at least three horizons within the Taynton Limestone were quarried for the slate. These horizons are well known for producing a diverse set of fossils including those of plants, insects as well as vertebrates, including some of the earliest known mammals, pterosaurs as well as those of first dinosaur ever described, Megalosaurus.
| Taynton Limestone | |
|---|---|
| Stratigraphic range: | |
| Type | Geological formation |
| Unit of | Great Oolite Group |
| Underlies | Hampen Formation, Rutland Formation |
| Overlies | Fuller's Earth Formation, Sharp's Hill Formation, Horsehay Sand Formation |
| Thickness | 0-11 m |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Limestone |
| Other | Marl, Sandstone |
| Location | |
| Region | Oxfordshire |
| Country | England |
| Type section | |
| Named for | Taynton, Oxfordshire |
| Location | Lee's Quarry, Taynton Down, Oxfordshire |