Description
Genuine Hoplites spath Ammonite Fossil from Folkestone, United Kingdom
This listing is for a Hoplites spath ammonite fossil, preserved within the famous Gault Clay Formation of Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom. Dating to the Albian stage of the Cretaceous Period, approximately 113–100 million years ago, this is a superbly representative fossil of a classic ammonite genus. The specimen offered here is the exact fossil photographed, with a 1 cm scale cube included for accurate sizing. As with all of our fossils, it is a 100% genuine specimen and will be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.
Geological Context and Age
The Gault Clay Formation is one of Britain’s most important fossil-bearing strata, renowned worldwide for its rich assemblage of Albian-aged marine fossils. Formed in the shallow seas of the Cretaceous Western European Basin, these fine-grained clays provide an exceptional preservation environment. The Albian stage, part of the Early Cretaceous, was a time of widespread marine transgressions, leading to the expansion of warm epicontinental seas that covered large portions of Europe.
Fossils from Folkestone are highly prized, not only for their scientific value but also for their aesthetic preservation. Ammonites such as Hoplites spath are excellent index fossils, used by geologists to date and correlate rock layers across wide areas due to their distinctive morphology and relatively short evolutionary span.
Scientific Classification
- Fossil Type: Ammonite
- Genus: Hoplites
- Species: spath
- Order: Ammonitida
- Superfamily: Hoplitaceae
- Family: Hoplitidae
- Geological Age: Albian Stage, Early Cretaceous (~113–100 million years ago)
- Formation: Gault Clay
- Locality: Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom
Morphology and Distinctive Traits
The genus Hoplites is easily identified by its strong ribbing and compressed, planispiral shell structure. Notable features include:
- Prominent radial ribs that extend from the umbilicus to the venter, giving the shell a strikingly ornamented appearance.
- A compressed shell with well-defined whorls and sharp sutures.
- In some specimens, ribbing bifurcates towards the outer whorl, producing distinctive branching ornamentation.
- Medium-sized shells that provide both scientific study value and display appeal.
The Hoplites spath ammonite is particularly valued among collectors for its sharp ribbing and excellent preservation within the soft clays of Folkestone.
Paleoecology and Depositional Environment
During the Albian, the shallow seas covering southern England were part of a broad marine ecosystem teeming with life. Ammonites like Hoplites spath were nektonic carnivores, actively swimming in the water column, where they likely fed on smaller invertebrates and planktonic organisms. Their role as fast-moving predators made them a crucial part of the mid-level marine food chain.
The Gault Clay represents deposition in a low-energy, offshore marine environment. The fine clays that entombed these shells ensured that delicate details of ribbing and suture patterns were preserved. The Folkestone locality is famous for producing specimens that remain sharp and well-defined even after millions of years of burial.
Collector and Display Significance
Owning a Hoplites spath ammonite fossil is owning a genuine piece of British natural history. This fossil represents not only the remarkable biodiversity of the Early Cretaceous but also one of the most scientifically significant fossil localities in Europe.
Collectors value these specimens for their clarity of detail, their provenance from the world-famous Folkestone Gault Clay, and their use as classic examples of Albian ammonites. Displaying such a specimen offers both scientific interest and aesthetic beauty, making it suitable for both serious paleontological collections and educational displays.
Key Features
- Species: Hoplites spath ammonite
- Age: Albian, Early Cretaceous (~113–100 million years old)
- Formation: Gault Clay
- Location: Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom
- Features: Strong ribbing, compressed whorls, sharp sutures
- Authenticity: Guaranteed genuine, with Certificate of Authenticity
- Specimen: Exact fossil shown in photographs, with 1 cm scale reference
This is a truly rare and scientifically valuable ammonite fossil from a world-renowned British locality, perfect for fossil enthusiasts, collectors, educators, and natural history lovers.
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