Description
Genuine Cardioceras alphacordatum Fossil Ammonite
This listing features an authentic Cardioceras alphacordatum fossil ammonite from the Lower Oxfordian Stage of the Jurassic Period, discovered in Warboys, United Kingdom. Dating to approximately 163–160 million years ago, this ammonite specimen represents a time when shallow seas covered large parts of Britain, preserving an extraordinary variety of marine life. The fossil pictured is the exact one you will receive, carefully selected for its clarity, condition, and display appeal. As with all of our specimens, it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring it is a 100% genuine fossil for collectors, educators, or enthusiasts of natural history.
Geological and Palaeontological Context
The Lower Oxfordian Stage marks the early part of the Oxfordian Age, a critical division of the Upper Jurassic. During this time, much of Europe, including the Warboys region, was submerged beneath epicontinental seas. These shallow waters deposited fine-grained muds and clays, which later lithified into the sedimentary layers that preserved marine organisms such as ammonites, belemnites, and marine reptiles.
Fossils from Warboys and the surrounding Oxford Clay Formation are highly regarded for their exceptional preservation, giving palaeontologists detailed insights into Jurassic ecosystems. Ammonites such as Cardioceras alphacordatum serve not only as captivating natural objects but also as key tools for dating and correlating rock strata across Europe.
Scientific Classification
- Species: Cardioceras alphacordatum
- Genus: Cardioceras
- Family: Cardioceratidae
- Superfamily: Stephanoceratoidea
- Order: Ammonitida
- Class: Cephalopoda
- Age: Lower Oxfordian, Jurassic (~163–160 million years ago)
- Locality: Warboys, United Kingdom
Morphological Characteristics
The shell of Cardioceras alphacordatum exhibits the distinct ribbing and compressed whorls characteristic of the Cardioceratidae family. Its ribs are strong, regularly spaced, and radiate outward from the umbilicus, giving the ammonite a striking appearance. The whorl section is moderately involute, and the suture lines display the intricate lobes and saddles typical of ammonites from this stage. These features make C. alphacordatum an easily identifiable and scientifically important species within its biozone.
The robust ornamentation of this ammonite is not only diagnostic but also provides clues about its hydrodynamics and adaptation to the Jurassic marine environment. Such details make it an ideal specimen for both scientific appreciation and display purposes.
Stratigraphic and Biozonal Importance
Cardioceras alphacordatum is a significant index fossil for the Lower Oxfordian Stage. Its restricted stratigraphic range allows geologists to use it for correlating rock sequences across vast regions, from Britain to mainland Europe. The presence of this ammonite in a stratigraphic layer helps establish precise biostratigraphic frameworks, making it invaluable for reconstructing Jurassic marine environments and evolutionary pathways.
Depositional Environment
The Warboys area was part of the Jurassic Oxford Clay sea, a shallow epicontinental basin with calm conditions that favoured the preservation of marine fauna. Low oxygen levels in the seabed sediments reduced decay and scavenging, ensuring that shells such as this ammonite remained intact over millions of years. The result is a fossil that retains remarkable detail, allowing modern collectors to admire the same features that palaeontologists study to unlock Earth’s deep history.
Collector and Display Value
This Cardioceras alphacordatum fossil ammonite is both a scientifically important specimen and a captivating display piece. Its strong ribbing, sharp preservation, and provenance from Warboys make it a desirable fossil for collectors of Jurassic ammonites. Its natural beauty also makes it suitable as an eye-catching decorative or educational item, whether displayed in a private collection, classroom, or museum.
- Type: Fossil Ammonite – Cardioceras alphacordatum
- Age: Lower Oxfordian, Jurassic (~163–160 million years ago)
- Location: Warboys, United Kingdom
- Scale: Rule squares/cube = 1 cm (see photographs for full sizing)
- Authenticity: 100% genuine specimen with Certificate of Authenticity
- Guarantee: The fossil shown is the exact specimen you will receive
A fascinating example of Jurassic marine life, this ammonite captures both the artistry of natural history and the precision of geological science.
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