These tiny fossils have been in my collection for a long time now, but I’ve only recently learnt a bit about their folklore.
They’re echinoids – fossiled sea urchins – and the name itself is a treat. It derives from echinos (Greek) which means ‘hedgehog’. Better still, “urchin” is an old word for hedgehog. It’s an apt name too, because in life, sea urchins are covered in spines. These drop off when the animal dies, leaving behind the “test”, or skeleton, which usually looks like a star. They’re not starfish though.
In England, echinoids were often known as Sugar Loaves or Fairy Loaves, because of their resemblance to tiny loaves of bread. According to this website, they were used to protect the family against witchcraft, so that they’d always have bread to eat. Bread making is so integral to human history – I guess it’s not surprising that so many superstitions have risen up surrounding it.
Another form of these fossils is commonly known as a sand dollar – these are the fossilised remains of very flat, burrowing sea urchins (photo below from Wiki). I don’t have any of those, which is probably just as well – they might result in flat loaves!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Very occasionally, we get sand dollars washed up on our tropical northern beaches. If I ever come across one or two, would you like them for your collection? I love the folk legend behind them, but don’t believe these little creatures would have the ability to affect your powerful baking!
hahaha, thanks Kate, that’s very kind! I’d love one!
Once I’m out and about again, I’ll head up to Bucasia Beach to see if I can find any :-)
Dear C, how special and apt that your little fossils are connected to bread, magic and abundance. I think they may have worked. You were a big part of my Sourdough journey. Several years back the woman who shared her starter recommended your blog and you have been a virtual friend ever since. Thankyou for sharing your life, thinking and family . I also followed through on your friend Emilie Raffa and her bread book and have four different loaves rising as I write.Thinking which neighbours to share which loaf with. Looked up your Easter buns yesterday for this week. Thankyou again.
Ohhh sea treasures! Where did you find them, I only really have ammonites – I am thinking about getting myself a small hammer
We found some sand dollars while we were on holidays on the Pacific coast one year. They are quite interesting to look at. Unfortunatley not many made it home whole. Am I glad they didn’t affect my bread baking. 🤣
Fascinating. On our travels among the shells we found were some non-fossilised sea-urchins, so delicate and beautiful, and sand dollars, one of my all-time favourites. I no longer collect so much as pick up, admire and put back so very few of these came home with is. I like knowing their stories though. Thank you.
The sand dollar is similar to the pansy shell we get here in South Africa in Plettenberg Bay, where my Pete grew up. I’d love to mail one to you but I’m not sure it would survive the journey as they are so fragile. I will try source a mini box after lockdown so I can send you one.
You can read more about the pansy shell legend here:
https://funkymunky.co.za/pansy.html
:-) Mandy xo
I really love these short daily posts, Celia!
Thank you <3
Fascinating to think about how people interpreted fossils of all kinds in the past, and also how fossils were instrumental in creating new ideas about geological history and evolution.
As you say, the mystery of how bread rises and how starter or yeast grows made for many imaginative beliefs.
Now we have a new natural phenomenon that humans have no way to cope with!
be well… mae
Celia, I’ve long been fascinated by your fossil collection. These sugar loaves reminded me of the beautiful sourdough loaves you bake! I’m still plugging in the fairy lights” on my baker’s rack — a term I learned from IMK’ers ‘down under’ — they bring me joy every day! God bless you and keep you ‘n’ yours safe, xo.
There is a beach near us that is a perfect place for finding sand dollars. I have a collection of dozens of different sizes. But I would love to find one of your sugar loaves.