Description
Genuine Hildoceras bifrons Ammonite Fossil
This listing is for a genuine Hildoceras bifrons fossil ammonite from the Beacon Limestone, Jurassic, collected from Ilminster, Somerset, UK. This is a carefully chosen fossil specimen, selected for its natural character, scientific interest and classic British Jurassic provenance. The photograph shows the actual specimen you will receive, so you can buy with confidence knowing exactly which fossil is being supplied. Full sizing and scale details can be seen in the photo.
Your specimen was discovered by our own team members, Alister and Alison, and has been carefully cleaned, prepped and treated by Alison. It is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, confirming that this is a genuine fossil specimen and making it an excellent addition to a fossil collection, natural history display, educational geology set or Jurassic ammonite cabinet.
About Hildoceras bifrons
Hildoceras bifrons is one of the most famous and scientifically important ammonites of the Early Jurassic. Ammonites were extinct marine cephalopods, related to modern squid, octopus and nautilus, but unlike squid and octopus they lived inside a coiled, chambered shell. The living animal occupied the final outer chamber, while the internal chambers helped control buoyancy as it moved through the ancient sea.
This species was originally described as Ammonites bifrons by Bruguière in 1789 and is now placed in the genus Hildoceras. It belongs to the family Hildoceratidae, within the superfamily Hildoceratoidea and the order Ammonitida. Hildoceras bifrons is especially well known because it is closely associated with the Bifrons Zone, an important ammonite biozone of the Toarcian Stage of the Lower Jurassic.
Shell Form and Identifying Features
Hildoceras bifrons is admired for its distinctive ammonite form, clear coiling and attractive ribbed ornament. Typical examples show a planispiral shell, defined whorls and curved ribs across the flanks. A key feature often associated with Hildoceras is a lateral groove or sulcus along the side of the whorl, which can give the shell a particularly recognisable appearance and visually separate the ribbing.
The species name bifrons is commonly interpreted as meaning “two-fronted” or “double-faced”, reflecting the distinctive visual character of the shell. The combination of coiled form, rib detail and strong scientific value makes Hildoceras bifrons a highly collectable ammonite for anyone interested in British fossils, Jurassic marine life and palaeontology.
Beacon Limestone and Jurassic Age
This specimen comes from the Beacon Limestone, a fossiliferous Jurassic limestone unit known from the Ilminster area of Somerset. The Beacon Limestone is valued for producing attractive British ammonites and other marine fossils preserved within hard limestone beds.
Hildoceras bifrons is associated with the Lower Jurassic Toarcian Stage, around 182 to 174 million years ago. During this time, much of what is now southern Britain was covered by warm marine waters. These seas supported ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, brachiopods, fish and marine reptiles. Ammonites from this interval are important to geologists because they evolved rapidly and were widely distributed, allowing rock layers to be dated and correlated across different regions.
Ilminster, Somerset Fossil Locality
Ilminster, Somerset is a classic British Jurassic fossil locality with a long association with ammonites and marine fossils. The limestone deposits around this area preserve evidence of an ancient seabed where marine animals lived, died and were gradually buried by sediment. Over millions of years, these remains became fossilised within the rock.
Fossils from Ilminster are sought after for their British provenance, historic geological interest and connection to the fossil-rich Jurassic strata of southwest England. A Hildoceras bifrons ammonite from this locality offers collectors a direct link to the ancient seas that once covered Somerset.
Collectable British Jurassic Display Fossil
This Hildoceras bifrons ammonite fossil is a desirable specimen for collectors of British fossils, Jurassic ammonites, Somerset fossils, palaeontology specimens and natural history display pieces. Its recognised species, Beacon Limestone origin and classic Ilminster locality make it a strong addition to a fossil cabinet, study collection, teaching set or geology-themed gift.
The specimen has been carefully selected for authenticity, natural appearance and display value. With its genuine Jurassic age, classic UK locality and included Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, this Hildoceras bifrons fossil offers a direct connection to the ancient marine world of Jurassic Britain.
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