Caenisites Fossil Ammonite Lower Lias Jurassic Coast Black Ven Lyme Regis Dorset UK Genuine

Description

Authentic Ceenesites Fossil Ammonite from the Jurassic Coast

This remarkable specimen is a genuine Ceenesites fossil ammonite, discovered in the famous Lower Lias deposits at Black Ven, Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK. Dating to the Lower Jurassic period (approximately 199–190 million years ago), this ammonite offers both scientific importance and natural beauty. The fossil is carefully preserved, showing the classic ribbing and coiling structure that makes ammonites some of the most recognisable and collectible fossils in the world.

This specimen was collected on 22 September 2025 by our own team members Alister and Alison and subsequently cleaned, prepped, and treated by Alison to highlight its natural detail and preserve it for long-term display. Every piece we sell is guaranteed authentic and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring you are purchasing a genuine fossil of significant age and value.

Geological Context – Black Ven and the Lower Lias

The Lower Lias Formation, part of the Blue Lias Group, is a world-famous sequence of early Jurassic marine deposits. It is particularly well exposed along the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, where Black Ven stands out as one of the most prolific fossil-bearing cliffs in Britain.

Deposited in a shallow marine environment rich in fine mud and limestone, these rocks contain a wealth of preserved marine life. The ammonites of the Lower Lias are especially important, as they provide excellent index fossils, enabling geologists to date and correlate rock strata with great precision.

Species Profile – Ceenesites

The genus Ceenesites belongs to the order Ammonitida, within the subclass Ammonoidea of the class Cephalopoda. These ammonites were free-swimming marine molluscs related to modern squid and cuttlefish, possessing a coiled, chambered shell that provided buoyancy.

The shell of Ceenesites is characterised by strong ribbing across the whorls and a relatively narrow umbilicus, giving it a strikingly defined structure. These features, together with their distinctive suture patterns, make Ceenesites an easily identifiable genus within the Lower Lias ammonite fauna. The ammonite’s morphology reflects its adaptation as a nektonic predator, likely feeding on small crustaceans and other marine organisms.

Collectible and Scientific Value

This Ceenesites fossil is more than just a display piece – it represents a key moment in early Jurassic marine history. Ammonites like this one are used in biostratigraphy to establish detailed geological timescales, and their abundance along the Jurassic Coast makes them a vital resource for paleontologists.

For collectors, Ceenesites ammonites offer a combination of aesthetic appeal, scientific importance, and locality prestige. Fossils from Black Ven, Lyme Regis are particularly desirable, as the site has been associated with fossil collecting since the early 19th century and the pioneering work of Mary Anning.

Fossil Details

• Genus: Ceenesites
• Type: Ammonite Fossil
• Geological Formation: Lower Lias
• Age: Lower Jurassic (~199–190 million years ago)
• Location: Black Ven, Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK
• Discovered by: Alister and Alison
• Discovery Date: 22 September 2025
• Prepared by: Alison
• Guarantee: 100% genuine specimen with Certificate of Authenticity

The fossil shown in the photographs is the exact specimen you will receive, displayed with a 1 cm scale cube for accurate sizing. This Ceenesites ammonite is a beautifully preserved and scientifically significant piece, making it an outstanding addition to any collection of Jurassic fossils.