Fossil Ammonite Beudanticeras beudanti Aptian Cretaceous Gault Clay Folkestone UK Specimen

Description

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Fossil Ammonite Beudanticeras beudanti Aptian Cretaceous Gault Clay Folkestone UK Specimen

Authentic Beudanticeras beudanti Ammonite Fossil from Gault Clay Aptian Cretaceous Folkestone Kent UK with Certificate

Long Description

Genuine Fossil Ammonite – Beudanticeras beudanti

This listing is for a genuine and beautifully preserved Fossil Ammonite of the species Beudanticeras beudanti, found in the world-famous Gault Clay deposits at Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom. Dating to the Aptian stage of the Early Cretaceous Period, around 125–113 million years ago, this specimen represents both a rare collector’s piece and an important window into the geological history of southern England. The specimen offered is the exact fossil shown in the photographs, with a 1 cm scale cube included for precise size reference.

The Species – Beudanticeras beudanti

Beudanticeras beudanti belongs to the Order Ammonitida, Superfamily Desmoceratoidea, and Family Desmoceratidae. This ammonite is characterised by its smooth to slightly ribbed shell and involute coiling, giving it an elegant, compressed form. Its suture lines, often visible in well-preserved specimens, reflect the intricate internal chambering typical of ammonites. Named after the French naturalist François Beudant, this species is scientifically important as it contributes to biostratigraphic frameworks used to date Aptian-aged deposits across Europe.

Geological Context – Aptian Stage, Early Cretaceous

The Aptian stage (approximately 125–113 million years ago) was a dynamic period of Earth’s history. Sea levels were high, and much of southern England was submerged beneath warm, shallow seas connected to the wider Tethys Ocean. The Gault Clay Formation, where this specimen was found, is world-renowned for its rich assemblage of ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, and marine vertebrates. Fossils from Folkestone are highly sought after due to their fine preservation and their importance in documenting Early Cretaceous marine life and environments.

The Gault Clay was deposited in a low-energy marine environment, allowing delicate fossils to be preserved intact. The discovery of Beudanticeras beudanti within these clays provides valuable insight into the evolutionary development of ammonites during the Aptian stage and their role in the wider ecosystem.

Morphological Features of the Fossil

This specimen of Beudanticeras beudanti displays several hallmark features of the species:

• Involute coiling, where the inner whorls are largely hidden by the outer shell.
• Compressed shell form, producing a flattened and elegant profile.
• Subtle ribbing, running across the whorls, typical of the genus.
• Well-defined suture lines, offering a glimpse into the complex internal architecture.
• Lustrous preservation, thanks to the fine-grained Gault Clay matrix.

These morphological traits make Beudanticeras beudanti not only a striking fossil but also a scientifically significant species used in the classification and dating of Aptian strata.

Scientific and Collectible Significance

As part of the Desmoceratidae family, Beudanticeras represents an important lineage of ammonites that thrived in Early Cretaceous seas. Fossils of this species are used as biostratigraphic markers, aiding geologists in correlating rock layers across regions. For collectors, Beudanticeras beudanti is a desirable ammonite due to its rarity, refined shell form, and clear connection to one of Britain’s most famous fossil localities – Folkestone.

Provenance and Authenticity

• Species: Beudanticeras beudanti
• Age: Aptian, Early Cretaceous (~125–113 million years old)
• Formation: Gault Clay
• Locality: Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom
• Family: Desmoceratidae
• Superfamily: Desmoceratoidea
• Order: Ammonitida

All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and are supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity, guaranteeing provenance and quality.

Why This Specimen is Exceptional

• A rare and scientifically significant Aptian ammonite fossil.
• From the renowned Gault Clay Formation at Folkestone, Kent.
• Exhibits the classic compressed shell form and coiling of Beudanticeras beudanti.
• Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity for peace of mind.

This Beudanticeras beudanti ammonite fossil is an outstanding collector’s specimen, combining geological heritage, paleontological importance, and aesthetic beauty, making it an ideal addition to any fossil collection or display.