Fibonacci Rocks

Geometry on a Dorset Beach

By The Bimbler

While best known as the landing place of the Duke of Monmouth in 1685 during his ill fated rebellion against King James II, Monmouth beach also offers a glipse even further back in history.

Almost 200 Million years before Monmouth set foot here this was the domain of Ammonites before they became extinct leaving prehistoric imprints for the modern day intrepid explorer to discover on low Spring tides.

Write your story here. (Optional)

they were reputedly named after Ammon, an ancient Middle Eastern Deity from who’s head grew Ram’s Horns of similar shape.

These spiral shells in which the Ammonites once lived grew according to the same Fibonacci sequence that occurs all across the natural world and in every scale imaginable from DNA molecules to Spiral Galaxies.

0..1..1..2..3..5..8..13..21..34..55..89..144..233..377..610..987..

The Fibonacci sequence above evolves when a new number is added to the previous one.

Perhaps you need to be a number geek to enjoy the sequence but meanwhile down on Monmouth Beach Fibonacci’s discovery manifests as eroded remains of ammonite fossils ranging in size from millimeters to a meter across and one impressive area with so many embedded in the smooth bed rock it’s hard to take a step without treading on at least one.

On most visits to this rocky shore I take away a small fossil keepsake but on this occasion I didn’t…

…I just wandered off with a head full of spirals.

Later I learned a new word…

Crypomnesia is a phenomenon whereby a person believes they’ve had an original thought but instead have unconsciously plagiarised it from elsewhere.

It was while pausing between bites on a Cinnamon Roll, which I’d felt compelled to bake once home, that I suddenly recognised a familiar shape in the sugary spiral pastry…

… think I’m going to call them Sweet Fibonacci Rolls from now on!

Footnotes

*always read the safety signs before venturing onto Monmouth beach and take snacks and a flask of tea in case you feel compelled to stop for no particular reason.

Button Label

FootNotes

*always read the safety signs before venturing onto Monmouth beach and take snacks and a flask of tea in case you feel compelled to stop for no particular reason.

It's a wrap

Fibonacci Rocks

Geometry on a Dorset Beach

FootNotes

The Taste of Spring Equinox

the technicolour dream tent

The crunchiest walk in Dorset

The Bimbler's Wild Leek recipe

a lesson in living light

Champignon of the World