The paleontological reserve located in the south of the Caraşu Valley, near Cernavodă, covers 3 hectares and contains a succession of fossiliferous layers. Described in 1911, this area allows the observation of the Dobrogean cliff formed by Lower Cretaceous limestone. At the base of the bridge over the Danube there is white-yellow chalky limestone, where 17 species of bivalves and 6 species of gastropods have been identified, indicating the presence of the Valanginian. Three fossiliferous horizons follow: white colitic limestones with foraminifera and corals, a yellowish-white layer with rudist fossils and corals, and yellowish marly limestones with oysters and trigons.
The Cernavodă outcrop contains 72 fossil species also known in other parts of Europe, plus new taxa. Recent research has updated the stratigraphic ages: the lower horizon belongs to the upper Berriasian, the second to the Valanginian, and the rest to the Hauterivian. Due to its importance, the outcrop was protected and declared a natural monument.
Source: Parks and nature reserves from Romania, Gheorghe Mohan, Aurel Ardelean, Victor Bortaș ed. Victor B. Victor, 2006
