Description
Amaltheus spinatum Ammonite Fossil
This genuine Amaltheus spinatum ammonite fossil is a collectible Lower Jurassic marine specimen from Aveyron, France. Dating to the Upper Pliensbachian stage, this fossil represents a classic European Jurassic ammonite from the ancient seas that once covered parts of southern France. Ammonites are among the most popular fossil groups for collectors, prized for their coiled shells, natural symmetry, distinctive ornamentation and importance in dating ancient marine rocks.
The specimen is a carefully chosen piece, with the photograph showing the actual fossil you will receive. It is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, making it an excellent choice for collectors of French fossils, Jurassic ammonites, natural history specimens, educational geology displays and fossil cabinets.
Geology, Age and Locality
This fossil comes from the Upper Pliensbachian of the Lower Jurassic, an interval dating to approximately 190 to 184 million years ago. During this part of the Jurassic Period, much of western Europe was covered by warm, shallow to moderately deep epicontinental seas. These seas were connected to wider marine systems and supported a rich ecosystem of ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, brachiopods, gastropods, crinoids, fish and other marine organisms.
The Aveyron region of France is known for Jurassic sedimentary rocks that preserve marine fossils from these ancient environments. Fine muds, silts and carbonate-rich sediments accumulated on the seabed, gradually burying shells and hard parts. Over millions of years, these sediments compacted and hardened into fossil-bearing rock, preserving ammonites such as Amaltheus spinatum as genuine natural history specimens.
French Jurassic ammonites are especially desirable because they combine attractive preservation, strong European geological provenance and clear palaeontological interest. A labelled ammonite from Aveyron makes a meaningful addition to any collection of Lower Jurassic fossils, French fossils or classic marine invertebrates.
Fossil Type and Species Details
Amaltheus spinatum is an ammonite, an extinct marine cephalopod related to modern squid, cuttlefish and nautilus. Ammonites lived inside coiled external shells divided internally into chambers. The living animal occupied the final body chamber, while the empty chambers helped regulate buoyancy as it moved through the Jurassic sea.
The genus Amaltheus is one of the most recognisable Lower Jurassic ammonite groups and is especially associated with Pliensbachian marine faunas. Amaltheus ammonites are typically known for their compressed shell form, ribbed flanks, moderately open umbilicus and distinctive keel along the outer edge of the whorl. These features give the fossil both visual appeal and scientific value, as the shell shape and ornamentation are important for identification.
Amaltheus spinatum belongs to the family Amaltheidae, within the superfamily Eoderoceratoidea and the order Ammonitida. Amaltheid ammonites are important guide fossils for the Lower Jurassic because they evolved rapidly and were widely distributed across ancient seas. The species is associated with the Spinatum Zone, an important Upper Pliensbachian ammonite biozone used for dating and correlating Jurassic marine deposits.
Upper Pliensbachian Marine Environment
When this ammonite was alive, the area now known as Aveyron formed part of a Jurassic marine setting. Ammonites such as Amaltheus spinatum were active swimming animals, moving through the water alongside belemnites, fish and other marine life. The seabed supported communities of bivalves, brachiopods, crinoids, gastropods and other invertebrates adapted to soft sediment and shell-rich habitats.
The ammonite shell was both protective and functional. Its chambered structure allowed buoyancy control, while the ribs and keel strengthened the shell and contributed to its hydrodynamic form. These natural features are part of what makes ammonites such enduringly popular fossils, combining natural beauty, geological age and a direct connection to prehistoric marine life.
Aveyron, France
Aveyron in southern France provides strong locality provenance for this fossil. Specimens from named regions are valued because they preserve not only the fossil itself, but also its geological and geographical context. Clear provenance makes a fossil more meaningful for collectors, students and anyone interested in Earth history.
This Amaltheus spinatum ammonite from Aveyron is suitable for display, study, teaching or adding to a themed collection of French fossils, Lower Jurassic ammonites or European marine specimens. Its combination of recognised species, Upper Pliensbachian age and French locality gives it strong collecting appeal.
Genuine Fossil with Certificate of Authenticity
This fossil is a genuine specimen and includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card. Full sizing please see photo. The fossil shown in the photograph is the actual specimen you will receive, allowing you to buy with confidence and add a carefully selected, authentic Lower Jurassic ammonite fossil from France to your collection.
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