Description
Genuine Jurassic Belemnite Fossil from Dorset, UK
Offered here is a small Belemnite fossil identified as Hibolites hastata, collected from the famous Oxford Clay Formation, Jurassic Period, at Tidmoor Point, Dorset, UK. This is a carefully chosen genuine fossil specimen, and the photographs show the exact fossil you will receive. Full sizing details can be seen clearly in the listing images.
This specimen includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, ensuring long-term confidence in its authenticity and provenance.
Fossil Identification: Hibolites hastata
Hibolites hastata is an extinct marine cephalopod belonging to the order Belemnitida, closely related to modern squids and cuttlefish. Belemnites were fast-swimming predators that thrived in the world’s oceans during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
This species is characterised by its slender, elongated rostrum (guard), which is the hard internal skeleton most commonly preserved as a fossil. Belemnite fossils such as this are among the most iconic and recognisable marine fossils from the Jurassic seas of southern England.
Geological Age and Oxford Clay Formation
This specimen dates to the Jurassic Period, approximately 166–159 million years ago, and originates from the Oxford Clay Formation, one of the most important fossil-bearing marine deposits in Europe.
During the Jurassic, the area that is now Dorset was submerged beneath a warm, shallow sea rich in marine life. The Oxford Clay is renowned for its fine-grained sediments, which settled in low-energy conditions and allowed exceptional preservation of marine organisms.
Tidmoor Point is a classic and well-documented locality, famous for producing ammonites, belemnites, marine reptiles, and other invertebrates that together paint a vivid picture of Jurassic marine ecosystems.
Morphology and Notable Features
Belemnites such as Hibolites hastata possessed a streamlined, torpedo-shaped rostrum that acted as a counterweight, aiding stability and control while swimming.
Key features typically observed in Hibolites hastata include:
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Slender, tapering rostrum with a pointed profile
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Dense calcitic structure
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Smooth to subtly striated surface texture
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Compact size, making it ideal for display and study
This fossil preserves the natural form of the belemnite guard, offering an authentic and tactile connection to Jurassic marine life.
Depositional Environment and Preservation
The Oxford Clay was deposited in a marine offshore environment, where fine muds accumulated on the sea floor under relatively low oxygen conditions. These conditions limited scavenging and biological disturbance, allowing hard parts such as belemnite rostra to be preserved with clarity.
Over millions of years, mineralisation replaced original material, turning the rostrum into stone while retaining its original shape and structure.
Collector, Display, and Educational Value
This Hibolites hastata belemnite fossil is ideal for:
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Fossil and natural history collections
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Educational study of Jurassic marine life
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Stratigraphic and palaeontological displays
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Gifts for fossil, geology, and cephalopod enthusiasts
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Affordable entry-level vertebrate-free fossil collecting
Its modest size makes it perfect for cabinets, drawers, or teaching collections while still carrying strong scientific and historical interest.
Certificate of Authenticity Included
This is a genuine fossil specimen and includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, providing reassurance and peace of mind for collectors and buyers alike.
A Classic British Jurassic Fossil
Belemnites from the Oxford Clay of Dorset are among the most recognisable fossils from the Jurassic seas of the UK. This Hibolites hastata specimen represents a real marine predator that lived alongside ammonites and plesiosaurs, offering a tangible connection to Britain’s deep geological past and making a timeless addition to any fossil collection.
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