Fossil Reptile Bones Block Aust Cliff Westbury Formation Upper Triassic Penarth Group Bristol UK

Description

Genuine Fossil Reptile Bones from Aust Cliff

This specimen is a genuine block containing reptile bones from the world-famous fish, reptile, and coprolite bed at Aust Cliff, near Bristol, UK. The fossil comes from the Upper Triassic Westbury Formation of the Penarth Group, a deposit internationally celebrated for its exceptional vertebrate fossils. This carefully chosen piece shows clear reptilian bone fragments preserved within their natural matrix. The photographs show the exact specimen you will receive, with a 1 cm scale cube included for accurate size reference.

Geological Age and Provenance

Dating to the Upper Triassic period, approximately 208–201 million years ago, the Westbury Formation was deposited during one of the final stages before the Triassic–Jurassic boundary. This was a pivotal moment in Earth’s history, just prior to a major mass extinction that reshaped global ecosystems. The Penarth Group, which includes the Westbury Formation, is renowned for its vertebrate-rich beds, and Aust Cliff is considered one of the most important Triassic vertebrate localities in Europe. Fossils from this site have been collected and studied for over a century, making them both scientifically significant and historically important to the study of palaeontology.

Reptile Bone Features

The block contains reptile bone material, representing large vertebrates that lived in the shallow marine and lagoonal environments of the Late Triassic. Marine reptiles such as ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs are well known from these deposits, and bones like the ones preserved here are part of that wider assemblage of apex predators. The bone fragments retain their natural texture and density, showing the robust skeletal material typical of reptiles. Fossils of this kind provide direct evidence of the vertebrates that thrived in the Triassic seas and offer valuable insight into their anatomy and survival within ancient ecosystems.

Depositional Environment and Preservation

The Westbury Formation was deposited in a shallow marine to lagoonal setting, where vertebrate remains accumulated in fine-grained muds and silts. Storm activity and shifting conditions brought bones, fish remains, and coprolites together into dense concentrations. Low oxygen levels at the seabed reduced decay and scavenging, ensuring excellent fossil preservation. The famous Aust Cliff vertebrate bed is especially important because it preserves a diverse assemblage of species together, capturing a snapshot of an entire ecosystem from the Upper Triassic. This block, containing reptile bones, represents part of that remarkable record.

Discovery and Preparation

This specimen was discovered on the 7th of April 2025 by our field team members, Alister and Alison, during a collecting trip to Aust Cliff. After recovery, it was meticulously cleaned, prepped, and treated by Alison to ensure both stability and clarity of detail. The preparation process has revealed the natural features of the bones without artificial alteration, ensuring the specimen remains fully authentic and scientifically accurate.

Authenticity and Collectability

All of our fossils are guaranteed 100% genuine specimens and are supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity. Fossil reptile bones from Aust Cliff are highly collectible, not only because of their rarity but also due to their provenance from one of Britain’s most significant fossil localities. This block represents an authentic piece of natural history from the Upper Triassic, making it an excellent addition for private collectors, museum displays, or educational use. Its direct connection to the great reptiles of the Triassic seas ensures that it stands out as both a scientifically valuable and visually striking specimen.