Description
Rare 3.5″ Fossil Ammonite – Kutatissites from Morocco
This is a superb 3.5-inch fossil ammonite, Kutatissites, from the Berriasian stage of the Early Cretaceous period, dating back around 145–139 million years ago. Discovered in the rich fossil-bearing deposits of Morocco, this specimen displays the classic coiled shell structure and beautiful natural detail that make ammonites some of the most sought-after fossils in the world. The fossil pictured is the exact specimen you will receive, and it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring its genuine origin.
Geological Context – Berriasian Stage, Early Cretaceous
The Berriasian stage is the earliest age of the Cretaceous period, directly following the Late Jurassic. This was a time of significant evolutionary development, with ammonites diversifying into many new genera. Morocco’s Cretaceous deposits are renowned for preserving marine fossils that thrived in warm, shallow seas covering parts of North Africa during this time.
The marine environments of the Early Cretaceous were characterised by carbonate-rich sediments, which provided the perfect conditions for the preservation of molluscs, including ammonites, bivalves, and gastropods. The ammonites of this age serve as index fossils, critical for correlating rock layers and dating geological formations worldwide.
Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Mollusca
- Class: Cephalopoda
- Order: Ammonitida
- Superfamily: Perisphinctoidea
- Family: Neocomitidae
- Genus: Kutatissites
Kutatissites belongs to the family Neocomitidae, a group of ammonites recognised for their ribbed shells and importance as biostratigraphic markers in the Early Cretaceous.
Morphological Features
This fine specimen demonstrates many of the key identifying traits of the genus Kutatissites:
- Planispiral coiling with a moderately compressed shell form.
- Prominent ribbing across the whorls, adding structural strength and distinctive ornamentation.
- Well-defined suture patterns, showing the intricate lobes and saddles typical of ammonites.
- Compact form with visible umbilicus, characteristic of Neocomitidae ammonites.
These features highlight both the beauty and the palaeontological importance of this ammonite fossil.
Palaeoecology and Ancient Seas
Ammonites such as Kutatissites were nektonic predators, swimming actively in the shallow marine environments of the Cretaceous seas. Their chambered shells allowed them to regulate buoyancy, moving vertically through the water column in search of prey. They likely fed on plankton, small crustaceans, and other molluscs.
The Moroccan seas of the Early Cretaceous were part of the southern margins of the Tethys Ocean, which supported rich marine ecosystems. Ammonites were among the dominant cephalopods, sharing their environment with early marine reptiles, abundant bivalves, and diverse gastropods.
Collector and Display Value
This 3.5-inch Kutatissites ammonite fossil is a highly collectible piece, notable for its age, size, and excellent preservation. Fossils from the Berriasian stage are particularly valuable because they represent the very beginning of the Cretaceous period, a pivotal moment in Earth’s history.
The specimen’s clear morphological features make it an excellent study piece for educational purposes, while its striking appearance ensures it also serves as an attractive display fossil.
Provenance and Guarantee
- Species: Kutatissites
- Age: Early Cretaceous, Berriasian (145–139 million years ago)
- Locality: Morocco
- Size: 3.5 inches across
Every specimen we offer is 100% genuine, professionally sourced, and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. The fossil shown in the photographs is the exact one you will receive, carefully chosen for quality and detail.
This rare Berriasian ammonite fossil from Morocco is both a fascinating scientific specimen and a stunning piece of natural history, perfect for collectors, educators, and enthusiasts of the ancient world.
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