Synopsis top ↑
The Barrandian area, located in the western part of Czechoslovakia (central
and western Bohemia), occupies a special position among the classical European
regions of geological interest: it shows Proterozoic up to Middle Devonian
sequences extraordinarily well exposed, easily accessible, and from the middle
Cambrian richly fossiliferous in many stratigraphic units. Geological
excursions to the Barrandian have a long tradition since the middle of the
19th century when this area became world famous by excellent investigations of
Palaeozoic rocks and their faunas by Joachim Barrande Numerous geological
guidebooks to this area, starting with that written by the founder of the
Czech geology JAN KREJCi (1853) intuitively reflect the historical development
of geological sciences.
Modern guidebooks, mostly focussed on selected problems and edited in limited circulation for purposes of congresses, symposia etc. are out of print. Increasing interest of foreign geoscientists and students made thus a compilation of a new guidebook inevitable. The present guidebook is focussed on stratigraphy, facies development and palaeontology, i.e. on the main subjects in which the Barrandian plays an internationally significant role. The program consisting of six whole-day excursions starting form Prague is arranged chronologically to include the whole sequence beginning with the Proterozoic and ending in the Middle Devonian. Also the program of individual days tends to be arranged chronologically from older to younger units, although the topographic situation required some exceptions. The seventh chapter contains brief notes on some additional outcrops or sites of geological interest within the city of Prague recommended for visit particularly to those who are not able to take part in whole-day trips. Last two chapters contain some data on collections of fossils and on rocks from the Barrandian used in architecture of Prague. The six whole-day excursions are aimed at participants using a car or a coach. The program of the fourth to the sixth days may be too extensive and an appropriate selection of localities depends on interest.
It is necessary to note that all excursions of foreign participants should be accompanied by a Czech professional guidance. Its assistance is needed not only with regard to a complex topographic situation but particularly because most localities are situated in State Nature Reserves or special nature protected areas accessible only with permission of the Czechoslovak authorities (this concerns e.g. the most of the Silurian and Devonian outcrops located in the protected area of the Bohemian Karst, Cambrian outcrops at Skryje, Jince, Rokycany etc.). Within these areas, and also elsewhere, the devastation of outcrops is strongly forbidden and collection of fossils is limited to loose material (debris). Export of fossils, generally allowed for scientific (non commercial) purposes, may be organized by permission of appropriate scientific institutions (e.g. National Museum, Prague).
Modern guidebooks, mostly focussed on selected problems and edited in limited circulation for purposes of congresses, symposia etc. are out of print. Increasing interest of foreign geoscientists and students made thus a compilation of a new guidebook inevitable. The present guidebook is focussed on stratigraphy, facies development and palaeontology, i.e. on the main subjects in which the Barrandian plays an internationally significant role. The program consisting of six whole-day excursions starting form Prague is arranged chronologically to include the whole sequence beginning with the Proterozoic and ending in the Middle Devonian. Also the program of individual days tends to be arranged chronologically from older to younger units, although the topographic situation required some exceptions. The seventh chapter contains brief notes on some additional outcrops or sites of geological interest within the city of Prague recommended for visit particularly to those who are not able to take part in whole-day trips. Last two chapters contain some data on collections of fossils and on rocks from the Barrandian used in architecture of Prague. The six whole-day excursions are aimed at participants using a car or a coach. The program of the fourth to the sixth days may be too extensive and an appropriate selection of localities depends on interest.
It is necessary to note that all excursions of foreign participants should be accompanied by a Czech professional guidance. Its assistance is needed not only with regard to a complex topographic situation but particularly because most localities are situated in State Nature Reserves or special nature protected areas accessible only with permission of the Czechoslovak authorities (this concerns e.g. the most of the Silurian and Devonian outcrops located in the protected area of the Bohemian Karst, Cambrian outcrops at Skryje, Jince, Rokycany etc.). Within these areas, and also elsewhere, the devastation of outcrops is strongly forbidden and collection of fossils is limited to loose material (debris). Export of fossils, generally allowed for scientific (non commercial) purposes, may be organized by permission of appropriate scientific institutions (e.g. National Museum, Prague).
Visits of foreign geologists and other geoscientists, students and naturelovers, are welcome and our geological institutes, universities and other cultural institutions will assist all who wish to extend their knowledge in geosciences. Our Guidebook should contribute to these efforts too.