British Chalk Fish Fossil Bones Cretaceous Chalk Sussex England | Authentic UK Vertebrate Fossil

Description

This listing features a rare and scientifically significant collection of fish fossil bones from the Cretaceous Chalk of Sussex, England. These remains come from one of the most famous fossil-bearing formations in the UK and offer a fascinating glimpse into the marine vertebrate life that once inhabited the ancient seas of the Late Cretaceous.

Geological Context:

• Fossil Type: Fish Bones (isolated skeletal elements)
• Group: Actinopterygii (ray-finned bony fishes)
• Geological Period: Late Cretaceous
• Formation: Chalk Group (Upper Chalk Formation)
• Location: Sussex, Southern England, United Kingdom
• Depositional Environment: Calm, deep marine shelf with slow accumulation of fine carbonate mud
• Age Range: Typically Turonian to Campanian stages (approx. 93 to 72 million years ago), depending on exact locality

The British Chalk is renowned for producing vertebrate fossils including fish, marine reptiles, and occasional shark material. Fish remains from this deposit are relatively uncommon and often consist of fragmented skeletal elements, vertebrae, cranial fragments, and fin supports preserved in white chalk matrix.

Morphology & Notable Features:

• Isolated vertebrae or bone fragments from teleost fish
• Often show smooth, rounded surfaces and pale grey to off-white preservation
• Typically flattened by sediment pressure and embedded in chalk matrix
• Potential remains of bony fish such as Pachyrhizodus, Enchodus, or similar taxa

Biozone Association: Depending on the specific chalk level, these fossils may be associated with well-known biozones such as the Micraster coranguinum or Marsupites testudinarius zones—used extensively in European Upper Cretaceous stratigraphy.

Specimen Details:

• Origin: Sussex, England, UK
• Age: Cretaceous (approx. 93–72 million years old)
• Scale: Scale rule square/cube = 1cm. Please refer to the photo for actual sizing
• Condition: Carefully selected for preservation and anatomical clarity
• Photo: The exact specimen shown in the images is what you will receive

Certification & Authenticity: All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. Each piece is hand-picked for its scientific, educational, and collector value.

This rare fossil fish bone specimen from the British Chalk is a valuable and accessible piece of vertebrate palaeontology—perfect for collectors, educators, or as a display item representing Britain’s ancient marine ecosystems.