The Atlas Obscura Podcast William Buckland’s Poo Table
Jan 13, 2026
Dive into the bizarre world of William Buckland, an eccentric scientist who had a taste for adventure—and animals! Discover the fascinating story behind his coprolite tabletop made from fossilized feces at the Lyme Regis Museum. Learn how Buckland made groundbreaking discoveries at Kirkdale Cave, identifying hyena activity through leftover coprolites. Delve into his peculiar habit of tasting every animal he could find, driven by curiosity and a quest for notoriety. Buckland's life was as colorful as his unconventional table!
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Coprolites Revealed Extinct Hyenas
- William Buckland used fossilized dung (coprolite) and bone evidence to argue that hyenas once lived in Britain, challenging flood-based explanations.
- This work helped advance the concept of extinction and earned Buckland major scientific recognition.
Ichthyosaur Gut Contents Used As Evidence
- Mary Anning found an ichthyosaur with fossilized stones in its gut that Buckland identified as coprolite.
- Buckland cracked them open to see fish remains and used them to reconstruct ancient food chains.
Buckland's Eccentric, Hands-On Habits
- Buckland and his family kept exotic pets and staged home experiments to teach children about fossils.
- He famously attempted to taste many animals and even licked a cathedral floor to test a miracle claim.
