The Ordovician of the Cabrières area, Hérault, France: a brief overview of two centuries of palaeontological investigations

The Cabrières region and the broader Montagne Noire have played a central role in elucidating the Palaeozoic history of southern France. Scientific investigations in the area span nearly two centuries, beginning with 19th century industrial explorations for coal and copper, followed by amateur fossil discoveries and academic palaeontological research. Early studies established Cabrières as a key locality for Ordovician fossils, mainly trilobites and graptolites, and laid the foundations for the regional stratigraphical framework. Research was partially disrupted by the World Wars but resumed in the mid-20th century, with studies refining the fauna, lithology, and biozonation of the Montagne Noire. Recently, newly discovered fossil sites revealed the Cabrières Biota, an exceptionally preserved assemblage including both biomineralized and soft-bodied organisms such as acritarchs, algae, arthropods, brachiopods, conulariids, echinoderms, graptolites, molluscs, sponges, and worms, in addition to diverse ichnofossils. This biota documents a unique high-latitude ecosystem during a critical interval between the Cambrian Explosion and the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event. Research on the Cabrières Biota builds on two centuries of scientific effort and perfectly illustrates the collaboration between non-academic and professional geologists.