Ice age rock and ancient tree discovered in Aberdeen park

An ice age rock and ancient tree are to be examined by scientists after being unearthed by workers carrying out renovations in a popular Scottish park.

The artifacts were discovered in Aberdeen's Seaton Park. Picture: Bill Harrison/Geograph

The glacial rock and tree trunk were found buried under layers of silt in Aberdeen’s Seaton Park, which is currently being transformed into a 90,000 pounds wildlife wetlands.

The rock, which is believed to have been washed down into the area during the ice age, differs from the stone formations traditionally found in the area.

The large tree trunk, which was also found beneath one of the park’s sports pitches, is thought to have been deposited in the area when the green space still formed part of the nearby River Don.

The contractors carrying out the wetlands work have now asked a university expert to look at a sample of the tree in a bid to determine what species it is and how old it is.

The tree has already been moved next to the new wetland area and Aberdeen City Council plan to include details of both the rock and tree in an information panel to provide a bit of history of the park.

The local authorities communities, housing and infrastructure vice-convener Councillor Jean Morrison said: “It’s been great to see the work come together at Seaton Park and then for these two discoveries to have been made, makes it even more exciting.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the completed Seaton Park wetlands and I’m sure generations of Aberdonians to come will appreciate the area along with the interesting finds of the glacial rock and the huge tree trunk under the ground.”

Seaton Park is one of the city’s busiest green spaces, with everyone from dog walkers to students flocking to the area in the summer months.

However in recent years, the playing fields have been repeatedly flooded by several feet of water which builds up on the surface.

Last winter some hardy souls even took to ice skating on the frozen floodwater.

Aberdeen City Council is now in the process of transforming the flood-prone parkland into a manmade wetland.

Council officials hope that by creating the area it will be easier to manage the water that accumulates through the year.

Nature lovers will also get a biodiversity boost, with the introduction of new plants and animals to the freshwater ecosystem and a wooden viewing platform to take the new sights in from.

The work is due to be completed by the end of the month.

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