Description
Genuine Fossil Bivalve – Inoceramus lamarcki
This listing offers a remarkable fossil bivalve, Inoceramus lamarcki, collected from the Chalk Marl Formation, Cretaceous period, at Southernham Quarry Pit, East Sussex, UK. Dating back to around 90–100 million years ago (Upper Albian–Cenomanian), this specimen is part of the iconic inoceramid clams that thrived in warm, shallow seas during the mid-Cretaceous. The fossil has been carefully selected for its clarity and preservation, and the photographs show the exact specimen you will receive, with a 1 cm scale cube provided for size reference.
Geological Context
The Chalk Marl Formation represents a transitional deposit between the fine, clay-rich Gault sediments and the more familiar Upper Cretaceous Chalk. Southernham Quarry in East Sussex has long been a productive site for palaeontological study, providing a wealth of fossils from a time when southern England was submerged beneath warm epicontinental seas.
Deposited in a shallow marine environment, the Chalk Marl is composed primarily of calcareous muds interbedded with marl layers. These sediments created ideal conditions for fossil preservation, capturing marine organisms such as ammonites, echinoids, brachiopods, and bivalves. Inoceramus lamarcki is particularly significant in this context, as inoceramid bivalves are used as biostratigraphic markers, helping geologists date and correlate mid-Cretaceous strata worldwide.
Taxonomy and Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Mollusca
- Class: Bivalvia
- Order: Ostreida
- Family: Inoceramidae
- Genus: Inoceramus
- Species: Inoceramus lamarcki
Inoceramids were large, thick-shelled clams, often reaching impressive sizes. Inoceramus lamarcki is a particularly well-known species within this group, distinguished by its broad, flattened, and often gently curved shell, making it instantly recognisable among mid-Cretaceous fossil assemblages.
Morphological Features
This specimen shows the defining characteristics of Inoceramus lamarcki, including its robust, thick shell and fine growth lines. The shell morphology suggests an adaptation to soft, muddy seabeds, where inoceramids often lived semi-infaunally, partially buried in sediment. Their size and shell construction offered stability in shifting environments, while their filter-feeding lifestyle allowed them to thrive in nutrient-rich Cretaceous seas.
The preservation in chalk marl highlights the surface detail, with visible lines of growth and the distinctive curvature of the valves. Such features are not only attractive to collectors but also valuable for scientific interpretation.
Scientific and Collector Significance
Inoceramus lamarcki is considered a key index fossil of the Cretaceous. Its presence in chalk marl and related deposits helps palaeontologists establish global correlations of marine strata. Fossils of this species are therefore not only collectable but also hold great scientific value.
For collectors, Inoceramus lamarcki provides:
- A well-preserved representative of the classic Cretaceous inoceramids.
- Direct provenance from Southernham Quarry, East Sussex, a recognised fossil site.
- A specimen tied to global biostratigraphic frameworks, enhancing both historical and scientific interest.
Provenance and Authenticity
This fossil was collected from Southernham Quarry Pit, East Sussex, UK, a location renowned for its mid-Cretaceous Chalk Marl fossils. As with all our specimens, it is guaranteed to be 100% genuine and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. The fossil is the exact specimen photographed, selected for its preservation and scientific importance, with no artificial restoration.
This fossil bivalve, Inoceramus lamarcki, from the Chalk Marl Formation of East Sussex represents a true piece of Britain’s deep-time heritage. Its excellent preservation, clear provenance, and geological significance make it a valuable addition for fossil enthusiasts, collectors, or anyone fascinated by the story of life in the ancient Cretaceous seas.
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