One in a billion bones becomes a fossil — even fewer turn into precious opal. That's what makes Lightning Ridge, located in the north-west of New South Wales, such a special place. Here, rainbow bones, shells, teeth and plant are unearthed by the regions opal miners. And here lies the challenge. Should the fossil be broken up for its coloured stone and sold as jewellery or should the specimen be preserved for scientific study?
Two local palaeontologists Dr Elizabeth Smith and Jenni Brammall have collectively spent over 40 years convincing opal miners, as well as buyers and sellers, of the significance of what they're finding. With the threat of losing fossils to private collections, as well as delicately navigating a multitude of personalities inside the town, we follow Liz and Jenni on their fight to save the opalised fossils and have them placed in a national collection permanently.
Two local palaeontologists Dr Elizabeth Smith and Jenni Brammall have collectively spent over 40 years convincing opal miners, as well as buyers and sellers, of the significance of what they're finding. With the threat of losing fossils to private collections, as well as delicately navigating a multitude of personalities inside the town, we follow Liz and Jenni on their fight to save the opalised fossils and have them placed in a national collection permanently.
