Description
Genuine Faringdon Sponge Fossil – Lower Cretaceous, Oxfordshire
This genuine Faringdon Sponge fossil originates from the famous Lower Cretaceous deposits of Faringdon, Oxfordshire, UK. Carefully chosen for its quality and preservation, this classic British fossil represents an important part of England’s Early Cretaceous marine history.
This specimen includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card. The photographs show the exact fossil you will receive, and full sizing details are clearly provided in the listing images.
Faringdon fossils are highly regarded among collectors due to their distinctive preservation and the historical significance of the locality, which has been studied for centuries as one of Britain’s most important fossil sponge sites.
Fossil Identification – Faringdon Sponge
Faringdon sponges are marine invertebrates belonging to the phylum Porifera, some of the earliest and most enduring multicellular organisms in Earth’s oceans. Fossil sponges from this locality are typically preserved as robust skeletal forms, often displaying intricate surface textures and internal canal structures.
These sponges were sessile filter-feeders, living attached to the sea floor where they processed seawater through a network of pores and channels to extract nutrients. Their fossilised remains provide valuable insight into ancient reef and seabed ecosystems of the Early Cretaceous period.
Faringdon sponges are especially prized for their three-dimensional preservation, often retaining their characteristic body shapes rather than being flattened, making them excellent display fossils.
Geological Setting – Faringdon, Oxfordshire
The fossils of Faringdon come from the Lower Cretaceous, dating to approximately 125–140 million years ago. The Faringdon area is particularly well known for the Faringdon Sponge Gravels, marine deposits formed in shallow seas that once covered southern Britain.
These gravels represent a high-energy depositional environment, where strong currents reworked sediments and concentrated fossil material. The seabed supported a diverse community of marine life, including sponges, brachiopods, bivalves, echinoids, and other invertebrates.
The sponge-rich beds of Faringdon are among the most significant Early Cretaceous fossil assemblages in the UK, providing a snapshot of marine biodiversity during this time.
Morphology and Notable Features
Fossil sponges from Faringdon commonly show:
- Distinctive porous skeletal textures
- Branching, bulbous, or cup-like growth forms
- Preserved canal systems and surface ornamentation
- Strong calcified or silicified frameworks
These morphological traits make them both scientifically valuable and visually striking. Each specimen is unique, shaped by both its original growth form and the conditions of fossilisation within the Cretaceous seabed.
Collectors appreciate Faringdon sponges for their natural complexity and the way they capture the structure of ancient marine life in remarkable detail.
Collector Appeal and Display
A Faringdon Sponge fossil is an excellent addition to:
- British fossil collections
- Cretaceous marine fossil displays
- Natural history and educational collections
- Gifts for fossil and geology enthusiasts
- Classic UK locality fossil cabinets
The combination of strong three-dimensional preservation and well-documented provenance makes these fossils especially desirable among collectors of historic English sites.
Authenticity and Presentation
This Faringdon Sponge fossil is a genuine specimen from the Lower Cretaceous deposits of Faringdon, Oxfordshire, UK, and includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card. The fossil shown in the photographs is the exact piece you will receive, carefully selected for its preservation and collector quality.
A classic fossil from Faringdon represents not only an ancient marine organism but also a key part of Britain’s palaeontological heritage, offering a tangible connection to the shallow seas of the Early Cretaceous.
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