Fossil Bony Fish Vertebrae London Clay Eocene Suffolk UK

Fossil Bony Fish Vertebrae – London Clay Formation, Eocene, Bawdsey, Suffolk, UK

This genuine Fossil Bony Fish Vertebra comes from the famous London Clay Formation, collected at Bawdsey, Suffolk, UK, a site renowned for its rich Eocene marine fossils. Dating to approximately 56–47 million years ago, this vertebra represents part of the diverse and thriving fish fauna that inhabited the warm, subtropical seas covering much of southeast England during the early Eocene.

You will receive the exact fossil shown in the photographs, with full sizing visible in the images for clarity. Each specimen is carefully selected for preservation, structural quality, and scientific interest.

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

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Geological Background – London Clay, Early Eocene

The London Clay Formation is one of Britain’s most productive and scientifically important Eocene deposits. Formed during the Ypresian Stage, the sediments represent a warm, shallow marine environment rich in life. Fine silts and clay settled on the sea floor, preserving marine vertebrates, invertebrates, plant remains, and occasional terrestrial animals washed out to sea.

Key features of the London Clay depositional environment include:

• Warm, subtropical climate

• Low-oxygen seafloor sediments, ideal for fossil preservation

• Periodic storm deposits, redistributing marine material

• High biodiversity, particularly among fish, sharks, rays, and marine reptiles

Bawdsey, situated along the Suffolk coast, is particularly well known for producing well-preserved fish remains, including vertebrae, jaw fragments, fin spines, and isolated teeth.

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Fossil Type – Bony Fish (Actinopterygii) Vertebra

This specimen represents the vertebra of a bony fish, belonging to the group Actinopterygii, the ray-finned fishes. These fishes dominated Eocene seas and remain the most diverse group of vertebrates today.

Typical features of Eocene bony fish vertebrae include:

• Distinct central centrum, often circular or slightly oval

• Concave articular surfaces (amphicoelous form), typical of early teleost fishes

• Ridge-like lateral structures, where muscles and ligaments attached

• Fine surface texture, reflecting bone growth patterns

• Dense mineralisation, allowing excellent preservation in clay sediments

The shape and proportions of the vertebra offer insights into the size, lifestyle, and swimming behaviour of the fish.

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Morphological Features & Scientific Importance

Fish vertebrae from the London Clay are prized because they provide key information about early marine vertebrate evolution. Notable traits visible on these fossils often include:

• Well-defined neural and haemal arches

• Smooth articular surfaces, indicating healthy skeletal structure

• Compact bone density, typical of active, swimming fish

• Pits and grooves, representing ligament and muscle attachment points

These fossils help palaeontologists reconstruct the ecology of early Eocene seas, including predator–prey relationships, fish diversity, and evolutionary transitions among early teleosts.

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Depositional Environment & Palaeoecology

During the early Eocene, the Bawdsey region lay beneath a shallow continental shelf. Fossil evidence shows the presence of:

• Pelagic and demersal fish

• Sharks and rays

• Crocodile relatives

• Rare marine birds

• Abundant invertebrates such as bivalves and gastropods

Fish vertebrae were often preserved when carcasses sank into soft, low-oxygen clay, preventing scavenging and providing ideal conditions for fossilisation.

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Collecting, Educational & Display Appeal

Fossil fish vertebrae from the London Clay are popular among collectors for their:

• Excellent preservation

• Important scientific context

• Manageable size

• Clear anatomical features

• Strong visual appeal on display

They are also ideal for educational settings, introducing students to vertebrate anatomy, marine palaeoenvironments, and the geological history of Britain.

Whether displayed alone or as part of a broader collection, this vertebra offers a direct link to the early Eocene seas that once covered eastern England.

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Authenticity & Presentation

• 100% genuine fossil bony fish vertebra
• From the London Clay Formation, Bawdsey, Suffolk
• Certificate of Authenticity included
• Exact specimen shown in photos is the one you will receive
• Full sizing visible in images
• Carefully selected for preservation, clarity, and scientific value

This London Clay Fossil Bony Fish Vertebra is an excellent addition to any fossil collection, offering a well-preserved glimpse into Britain’s ancient Eocene marine world.