Gault Clay Crab Fossil Cretaceous Folkestone Kent UK Genuine Specimen with Certificate of Authenticity

Genuine Cretaceous Crab Fossil from the Gault Clay, Kent

Presented here is an authentic fossil crab from the famous Gault Clay Formation of Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom. This is a genuine prehistoric specimen, carefully chosen for its clarity, preservation, and overall display appeal. The photographs show the exact fossil you will receive, with full sizing clearly visible in the images. Every specimen is supplied with a lifetime Certificate of Authenticity, provided as a generic card, guaranteeing its genuineness and long-term collectability.

Fossil crabs from the Gault Clay are highly sought after due to their relative rarity, scientific interest, and the exceptional fossil record of this historic British site.

Geological Setting – Gault Clay Formation

The Gault Clay is a marine sedimentary formation dating to the Albian Stage of the Early Cretaceous, approximately 113–100 million years ago. During this period, much of southern England was submerged beneath a warm, shallow sea that supported a diverse and thriving marine ecosystem. Fine clay sediments settled slowly on the sea floor, creating low-energy, low-oxygen conditions that greatly enhanced fossil preservation.

Folkestone is internationally recognised as one of the most important Gault Clay localities, producing a rich assemblage of ammonites, crustaceans, fish remains, marine reptiles, and invertebrates. Fossils from this formation are prized not only by collectors but also by researchers for their stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental significance.

Fossil Type – Cretaceous Marine Crab

This specimen represents a fossilised marine crab, an early representative of decapod crustaceans that lived on or near the sea floor. Fossil crabs from the Gault Clay are often preserved as partial or near-complete carapaces, sometimes with limbs or surface ornamentation visible. Their robust exoskeletons, composed of calcified cuticle, allowed them to withstand burial and fossilisation in fine clay sediments.

These crabs were part of a complex benthic ecosystem, scavenging and feeding among soft sediments, shells, and marine debris. Their presence provides valuable insight into Early Cretaceous seafloor communities and the evolutionary history of modern crabs.

Preservation and Morphological Interest

The Gault Clay is particularly noted for preserving fine anatomical detail. Surface textures, carapace shape, and overall form are often visible, making these fossils both visually appealing and scientifically informative. The natural coloration and mineralisation seen on this specimen are the result of millions of years of geological processes and confirm its authenticity and age.

Each fossil is left in its natural state, without artificial enhancement, ensuring it remains a true geological specimen rather than a decorative replica.

Educational, Collecting, and Display Value

Cretaceous crab fossils from Folkestone are ideal for collectors of British fossils, marine life, or crustaceans, as well as for educational use. They make excellent teaching specimens for illustrating fossilisation, marine paleoecology, and arthropod evolution. Whether displayed in a cabinet, used in a classroom, or added to a private collection, this fossil represents a genuine piece of ancient marine history.

The inclusion of a lifetime Certificate of Authenticity provides confidence for both new and experienced collectors. Carefully selected and responsibly sourced, this Gault Clay crab fossil offers a tangible connection to life in the Early Cretaceous seas that once covered southern Britain.