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Isle of Sheppey Crab Fossil London Clay Eocene Kent UK Display Specimen Genuine British Eocene Decapod with Certificate of Authenticity

Isle of Sheppey Crab Fossil London Clay Eocene Kent UK Display Specimen Genuine British Eocene Decapod with Certificate of Authenticity

Original price was: £20.40.Current price is: £14.28.

Scale cube=1cm: Full sizing please see photo

 

All of our Fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens & come with a Certificate of Authenticity

Specimen: Crab

Age: London Clay, Eocene

Location: Isle of Sheppey, Kent, UK

 

London Clay fossil crabs from the Isle of Sheppey provide a remarkable window into the Eocene epoch, a period spanning from about 56 to 33.9 million years ago. The Isle of Sheppey, located in the Thames estuary in the United Kingdom, is renowned for its rich deposits of London Clay, which have yielded a diverse array of exceptionally well-preserved fossils, including crabs.

 

These fossil crabs represent species that thrived in the ancient, shallow, and warm seas that covered the region during the Eocene. The London Clay formation has preserved these marine organisms in exquisite detail, including delicate structures like appendages and carapaces, offering paleontologists valuable insights into the morphology and ecology of Eocene crabs.

 

The fossil crabs from the Isle of Sheppey exhibit a variety of forms and sizes, reflecting the diversity of crab species present in the Eocene seas. Some of these crabs may have had flattened bodies and specialized claws, adapted to their specific ecological niches and lifestyles. The well-preserved fossils allow researchers to study the intricate details of their anatomy, providing clues about their behavior, feeding habits, and evolutionary adaptations.

 

The Isle of Sheppey’s London Clay fossils are not limited to crabs; they also include a wealth of other marine life, such as mollusks, fish, and plants. This assemblage of fossils contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the ancient marine ecosystems that once flourished in the area.

 

Beyond their scientific significance, London Clay fossil crabs captivate fossil enthusiasts and collectors with their intricate beauty and historical value. The fossils often undergo meticulous preparation to reveal their details, and many specimens are prized for their aesthetic appeal.

 

In summary, the London Clay fossil crabs from the Isle of Sheppey offer a tangible link to the Eocene seas, allowing us to explore the ancient marine life that inhabited the region millions of years ago. These fossils contribute to our understanding of paleoecology, evolution, and the dynamic history of life on Earth during a time of significant geological and climatic changes.

 

ACTUAL AS SEEN: The image shows the EXACT specimen you will receive. The specimen has been carefully hand selected and photographed. Measurements are as accurate as possible, though be aware measuring precise dimensions can be difficult from irregular shaped items. Whilst we portray colours as close to life-like as we can, colours will vary if taken in sunlight, indoors, from monitor to monitor and device to device. Once this specimen is sold, we will update this listing with new similar selected item, with a new photo and dimensions.

(Actual as seen)

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SKU: FP9282 Category:

Description

Isle of Sheppey Crab Fossil London Clay Eocene Kent UK Display Specimen Genuine British Eocene Decapod with Certificate of Authenticity

Isle of Sheppey Crab Fossil – London Clay, Eocene, Kent, UK

This genuine Isle of Sheppey crab fossil originates from the famous London Clay Formation, Eocene epoch, Isle of Sheppey, Kent, United Kingdom. The Isle of Sheppey is internationally recognised for producing exceptionally preserved Eocene marine fossils, particularly crustaceans, making this specimen a highly collectable example of British palaeontology.

The photographs show the exact fossil you will receive, carefully selected for its quality and presentation. Full sizing and scale details are clearly shown in the listing images. This fossil includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, confirming it as a genuine prehistoric specimen.

Fossil Identification & Classification

  • Phylum: Arthropoda

  • Subphylum: Crustacea

  • Order: Decapoda

  • Infraorder: Brachyura (true crabs)

  • Age: Eocene Epoch

  • Formation: London Clay

  • Locality: Isle of Sheppey, Kent, UK

The London Clay crabs of Sheppey are typically assigned to extinct genera of Eocene brachyuran crabs, often belonging to families adapted to warm, shallow marine environments. These crabs lived approximately 48–56 million years ago, during the early to middle Eocene, when southern Britain was submerged beneath subtropical seas.

True crabs (Brachyura) are characterised by a broad carapace, reduced abdomen folded beneath the body, and five pairs of walking legs, the first pair modified into chelae (claws). Even in fossil form, specimens may preserve portions of the carapace outline, limb segments, claw elements, and surface ornamentation.

Geological Setting – London Clay Formation

The London Clay Formation represents a marine sedimentary deposit laid down during the Ypresian stage of the early Eocene. At this time, Kent was situated in a warm, shallow epicontinental sea connected to the North Sea Basin.

Fine silty clays and muds accumulated in relatively calm offshore conditions. Rapid burial in oxygen-poor sediment helped preserve delicate marine organisms, including crabs, fish, molluscs, and plant material transported from nearby landmasses.

The Isle of Sheppey is one of the most famous exposures of London Clay in Britain and has yielded a diverse fossil assemblage, making it a classic locality studied by palaeontologists for over two centuries.

Morphology & Preservation

Crab fossils from the London Clay are valued for their three-dimensional preservation within clay nodules or consolidated sediment. Specimens may display:

  • Defined carapace shape and margins

  • Visible claw structure and limb articulation

  • Surface texture or ornamentation

  • Natural mineral replacement of the original exoskeleton

The fossilisation process typically involves the mineralisation of the chitinous exoskeleton and infilling by surrounding sediment, preserving structural detail.

Each specimen is unique, reflecting both biological form and depositional conditions from the Eocene seabed.

Collecting & Display Appeal

An Isle of Sheppey crab fossil is a classic British fossil collector’s item and ideal for:

  • Collectors of UK Eocene fossils

  • London Clay specialists

  • Crustacean and marine fossil enthusiasts

  • Educational geological displays

  • Unique gifts for natural history collectors

The London Clay fauna is especially significant for illustrating Britain’s ancient subtropical marine ecosystem during a greenhouse phase of Earth’s climate history.

Authenticity & Purchase Confidence

  • Genuine Isle of Sheppey crab fossil

  • London Clay Formation, Eocene Epoch

  • Isle of Sheppey, Kent, UK

  • Carefully chosen specimen

  • Includes Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card

  • Exact fossil shown in photographs

  • Full sizing provided in listing images

A classic and highly recognisable British Eocene crab fossil from one of the UK’s most celebrated fossil localities, offering geological significance and strong display character.

Additional information

Era

Eocene
Origin

United Kingdom

Eocene Information

The Eocene Period (56–33.9 million years ago) was a time of warm global temperatures and the rapid evolution of mammals following the extinction of the dinosaurs. The climate was hot and humid, with lush rainforests covering much of the planet, even near the poles. Mammals diversified into new ecological roles, with early primates, whales (like Basilosaurus), large herbivores, and carnivores emerging. Birds and reptiles also thrived, and the first grasses began spreading, setting the stage for later grassland ecosystems. By the late Eocene, the Earth’s climate cooled significantly, leading to the formation of the first Antarctic ice sheets and the eventual transition to the drier, cooler Oligocene Period.

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