Description
Genuine Callipurbeckia minor Fossil Fish Scale from Dorset, UK
An authentic fossil fish scale from the extinct species Callipurbeckia minor, recovered from the famous Durlston Formation of the Purbeck Beds at Durlston Bay, Swanage, Dorset, UK. This remarkable fossil originates from Lower Cretaceous-aged deposits and represents part of the diverse lagoonal ecosystems that once existed along the Jurassic Coast of southern England.
This specimen is a genuine fossil and includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card. The fossil shown in the photographs is the exact specimen you will receive. Full sizing please see photo.
Your specimen was carefully discovered by our own team members, Alister and Alison, and has been professionally cleaned, prepped and treated by Alison to help preserve both the fossil and surrounding matrix.
About Callipurbeckia minor
Callipurbeckia minor was a small prehistoric ray-finned fish belonging to the Order Semionotiformes, an ancient group of ganoid fishes that thrived during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. These fishes are especially recognised for their distinctive rhomboidal scales coated in ganoine, an enamel-like substance that gave the scales a glossy and highly durable surface.
The scales of Callipurbeckia are highly sought after by collectors because they preserve exceptional surface detail and often display beautiful natural textures and reflective qualities. Fossil fish remains from the Purbeck Beds provide important evidence of the transition between Jurassic and Early Cretaceous freshwater and lagoonal ecosystems in southern Britain.
Geological Information
This fossil comes from the renowned Durlston Formation within the Purbeck Group of Dorset. The Purbeck Beds are internationally famous for preserving a diverse assemblage of fossils including fish, crocodilians, turtles, insects, plants, molluscs and dinosaurs.
The sediments at Durlston Bay were deposited in shallow lagoons, coastal lakes and seasonal freshwater environments during the latest Jurassic to earliest Cretaceous interval. These alternating conditions created finely layered limestones and shales capable of preserving delicate fossils in remarkable detail.
Durlston Bay forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast and remains one of the most historically significant fossil localities in the United Kingdom.
Fossil Preservation and Preparation
This specimen has been carefully stabilised and prepared to retain its natural detail while preserving the surrounding matrix. Fossil fish scales from the Purbeck Beds can display fine ornamentation, natural ganoine sheen and distinctive geometric morphology characteristic of ancient ganoid fishes.
Because this is a genuine natural fossil, each specimen is completely unique in colour, texture, preservation and matrix composition. No replicas or casts are involved.
Ideal for Collectors, Education and Display
This authentic Callipurbeckia minor fossil fish scale is ideal for:
- Fossil collectors
- Jurassic Coast enthusiasts
- Educational study collections
- Natural history displays
- Geological gifts
- Early Cretaceous fossil collections
- British fossil collectors
The compact size and excellent preservation make this a superb addition to any fossil collection, whether for a beginner or experienced collector specialising in vertebrate fossils or Purbeck material.
Authenticity Guarantee
All of our fossils are guaranteed 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card. We personally recover many of our specimens from UK localities and professionally prepare them in-house to ensure authenticity and quality.
The fossil photographed is the exact specimen you will receive.
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