Fossil Ammonite Roloboceras hambrovi Lower Lobster Bed Atherfield Clay Lower Aptian Cretaceous Isle of Wight UK with COA

Description

Authentic Fossil Ammonite from the Isle of Wight

This listing is for a genuine Roloboceras hambrovi ammonite fossil, originating from the Lower Lobster Bed of the Atherfield Clay Formation, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom. Dating back to the Lower Aptian stage of the Early Cretaceous (approximately 125–120 million years ago), this specimen is a scientifically important and visually appealing ammonite from one of Britain’s classic fossil localities. The photos show the exact specimen you will receive, chosen with care for its preservation and display qualities. Scale rule squares / cube = 1 cm – please refer to the images for accurate sizing. All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and are supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Geological Context: Lower Aptian Atherfield Clay

The fossil comes from the Atherfield Clay Formation, a Lower Cretaceous marine unit exposed on the southern coast of the Isle of Wight. Within this formation lies the Lower Lobster Bed, a well-known fossil-bearing horizon famous for producing crustaceans, ammonites, and other marine life.

Deposited during the Lower Aptian stage, the Atherfield Clay records conditions in a shallow marine environment that formed part of the European epicontinental seas connected to the Tethys Ocean. The sediments are primarily claystones and mudstones that facilitated excellent fossil preservation. Ammonites from this bed are key to correlating the Aptian stage across northwest Europe, making them highly valued by both collectors and paleontologists.

The Species: Roloboceras hambrovi

Roloboceras hambrovi is an extinct ammonite species belonging to the order Ammonitida, superfamily Desmoceratoidea, and family Deshayesitidae. This species is one of the characteristic ammonites of the Lower Aptian, and its fossils are often used in defining biozones within the Atherfield Clay.

Its shell is typically planispiral, strongly ribbed, and ornamented, with ribs that cross the venter and give the fossil its distinctive appearance. The combination of ribbing and whorl profile makes Roloboceras hambrovi a key diagnostic species in Aptian stratigraphy. Its presence within the Lower Lobster Bed provides an excellent index fossil for the early Aptian sequences in southern England.

Morphological and Scientific Features

• Order: Ammonitida
• Superfamily: Desmoceratoidea
• Family: Deshayesitidae
• Genus and Species: Roloboceras hambrovi
• Geological Stage: Lower Aptian, Early Cretaceous (approx. 125–120 Ma)
• Formation: Atherfield Clay Formation – Lower Lobster Bed
• Locality: Atherfield, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom
• Shell Traits: Strong ribbing, planispiral coiling, ornamented whorls, diagnostic Aptian morphology
• Significance: Important index fossil for Lower Aptian biozones

This ammonite’s morphological traits not only make it a striking display fossil but also a scientifically valuable specimen, contributing to our understanding of Cretaceous ammonite evolution and stratigraphy.

Collector and Display Value

Fossils from the Isle of Wight are celebrated worldwide, with the island being one of the richest and most studied paleontological localities in Europe. Ammonites such as Roloboceras hambrovi from the Lower Lobster Bed are particularly prized for their rarity and stratigraphic importance.

For collectors, this ammonite represents an opportunity to acquire a scientifically significant and visually distinctive fossil from a classic British site. Its ribbed shell and historic provenance make it an ideal addition to any fossil collection, whether for personal study, educational use, or as a unique display piece.

Each fossil we offer is carefully chosen for quality and authenticity. Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity, this Roloboceras hambrovi ammonite ensures that you are purchasing a genuine specimen of Earth’s ancient history from one of the UK’s most iconic fossil localities.