Mary's Life
Where was Mary Anning born?
Lyme Regis.
What did Mary find when she was twelve years old?
The first complete ichthyosaur.
What period were the fossils from in Lyme Regis?
The Jurassic period.
Why couldn’t Mary join scientific groups?
Because she was a woman and came from a poor family.
Is Mary Anning important today?
Yes, she is very important.
Was Mary’s family rich or poor?
Her family was poor.
What is the name of the fossil with a long neck that Mary found in 1823?
The first complete plesiosaur.
What do scientists learn from fossils?
they learn about animals from the past.
Did scientists always give her credit for her work?
No, they didn’t always give her credit.
What did Mary turn fossil hunting into?
Into real science.
Who taught Mary how to look for fossils?
Her father taught her.
Where did Mary find most of her fossils?
In the cliffs near Lyme Regis, by the sea.
What does “extinct” mean?
It means the animal no longer exists.
Did some scientists believe her discoveries at first?
Why is she an inspiration for young people?
Because she worked hard and followed her passion.
Why did Mary sell fossils when she was young?
To help earn money for her family.
What type of ancient animals did Mary discover besides reptiles?
Ancient fish and flying reptiles.
What is a “fossil”?
The preserved remains of an ancient animal or plant.
What happened to Mary’s father when she was young?
He passed away (died)
What did Mary learn on her own (without school)?
How animals lived, how rocks formed, and how fossils were preserved.
Could Mary go to school very often?
No, she didn’t go to school much.
Why were scientists surprised by Mary’s plesiosaur?
Because it looked very strange and unlike modern animals.
What did Mary help scientists understand about animals?
That many animals had gone extinct long before humans.
Why was it difficult for Mary to become a scientist?
Because she had little schooling and society didn’t accept women in science.
What does her story show about hard work?
That hard work and curiosity can help you achieve great things.