Dorsetensia aff tessoniana Ammonite Fossil Jurassic Bajocian Dorset UK COA Inferior Oolite Sherborne Genuine Specimen

Description

Dorsetensia aff. tessoniana Ammonite Fossil – Middle Jurassic, Dorset, UK

This genuine Dorsetensia aff. tessoniana ammonite fossil is a carefully chosen specimen from the Inferior Oolite Group at Oborne Wood, near Sherborne, Dorset, UK. Dating to the Middle Jurassic Period, Bajocian Stage, this fossil represents an attractive and scientifically interesting marine cephalopod from one of southern England’s classic Jurassic fossil-bearing regions. The photograph shows the actual specimen you will receive, making this a highly collectible piece for fossil enthusiasts, natural history collectors, educational displays, geology students, and anyone interested in British Jurassic fossils.

Genuine Fossil with Certificate of Authenticity

This fossil is a genuine specimen and includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card. It has been selected as an individual natural history specimen, with the full sizing shown in the photo. The fossil is offered exactly as pictured, allowing buyers to see the preservation, shape, surface detail, and character of the actual ammonite being supplied.

Species and Fossil Type

Dorsetensia aff. tessoniana is an ammonite, an extinct group of marine molluscs related to modern squid, cuttlefish, and nautilus. Ammonites are among the most iconic fossils of the Jurassic seas and are especially valued for their coiled shells, detailed ribbing, and importance in dating sedimentary rocks. The abbreviation “aff.” means the fossil shows close affinity with Dorsetensia tessoniana, while allowing for natural variation or cautious identification within the genus.

Dorsetensia ammonites are typically recognised by their planispiral coiled shell form, compressed whorls, and ribbed ornamentation. As with many Jurassic ammonites, the shell would originally have been divided into chambers, with the living animal occupying the outer body chamber. Their elegant spiral form and taxonomic importance make them highly desirable among collectors of British ammonites.

Geology and Age

This specimen comes from the Inferior Oolite Group, a famous Middle Jurassic rock sequence found across parts of southern and western England. The Inferior Oolite was deposited during the Bajocian Stage of the Jurassic Period, approximately 170 million years ago. During this time, the Sherborne area formed part of a warm, shallow marine environment, rich in shelly life, carbonate sediments, and marine invertebrates.

The rocks of the Inferior Oolite Group are well known for yielding ammonites, bivalves, brachiopods, echinoids, and other marine fossils. Ammonites such as Dorsetensia are particularly important because they evolved quickly and are often used as index fossils, helping geologists correlate Jurassic rock layers across different regions.

Locality – Oborne Wood, Sherborne, Dorset

Oborne Wood, near Sherborne in Dorset, is part of a historically important fossil-bearing area associated with the Jurassic strata of southwest England. Dorset is world famous for its Jurassic Coast and fossil heritage, but inland localities such as Sherborne also provide valuable fossil material from Middle Jurassic marine deposits. Fossils from this region are popular with collectors because they combine strong geological provenance with classic British Jurassic preservation.

The Oborne Wood locality gives this ammonite excellent regional interest, especially for collectors who focus on Dorset fossils, Inferior Oolite ammonites, or British Jurassic cephalopods. Its association with Sherborne and the Bajocian marine deposits adds both educational and display value.

Scientific and Collectable Interest

Ammonites are among the most collectable fossils because of their beauty, variety, and importance in palaeontology. This Dorsetensia aff. tessoniana specimen is especially appealing as a British Middle Jurassic ammonite from a named locality. It would make a fine addition to a fossil collection, teaching set, natural history cabinet, museum-style display, or geology-themed gift.

The specimen is also a useful example of Jurassic marine life from the Inferior Oolite Group, representing an animal that once lived in warm prehistoric seas covering what is now Dorset. Its coiled shell form reflects the evolutionary success of ammonites, which flourished for millions of years before becoming extinct at the end of the Cretaceous Period.