Shark Coprolite Fossil Prehistoric Poo with Fish Bones Scales Black Ven Marls Lyme Regis Jurassic UK

Description

Authentic Shark Coprolite Fossil from the Jurassic Coast

Offered here is a Shark Coprolite Fossil (fossilised poo) containing visible fish bone and scale inclusions, from the world-renowned Black Ven Marls, Lower Lias Formation, Jurassic Coast: Stonebarrow Cliff, Charmouth, Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK. This specimen provides an extraordinary glimpse into the diet and ecology of ancient marine predators that ruled the seas around 190 million years ago during the Early Jurassic period.

Your specimen was discovered by our own team members, Alister and Alison, on 8th October 2025, and has been expertly cleaned, prepped, and treated by Alison to preserve its natural details and mineral structure. The photos show the actual piece you will receive, and the scale cube (1cm) provides a clear indication of size. As always, your purchase includes a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming this is a genuine, one-of-a-kind fossil.

Geological Context – Black Ven Marls, Lower Lias Formation

The Black Ven Marls are part of the Lower Lias (Lower Jurassic) sequence, deposited around 200 million years ago in a warm, shallow marine environment. Located along the famous Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cliffs of Charmouth and Lyme Regis are some of the most fossiliferous deposits in Britain, yielding countless remains of ammonites, fish, reptiles, and marine trace fossils.

The marls and clays of the Black Ven area were formed in oxygen-poor sea-floor conditions, ideal for preserving organic material. These fine-grained sediments have captured remarkable details, allowing specimens such as this coprolite to retain inclusions of fish bones and scales that offer direct insight into ancient food webs.

What Are Coprolites?

Coprolites are the fossilised remains of prehistoric animal droppings, mineralised over millions of years through natural replacement processes. They are valuable trace fossils, recording biological activity and diet rather than the animal’s physical structure.

This particular shark coprolite contains embedded fish bone fragments and scales, clear evidence that the animal was a predator feeding on bony fish. The internal inclusions, preserved in fine detail, often exhibit phosphate-rich material that highlights the digestive residues of these early marine carnivores.

Morphologically, the specimen displays:

• Elongated or spiral form, typical of shark coprolites from marine environments.
• Smooth outer surface with slight ridging, a result of sediment compression.
• Visible inclusions of fish material, observable with the naked eye or magnification.

The Sharks of the Early Jurassic Seas

During the Early Jurassic, the seas covering what is now southern England were dominated by a variety of marine reptiles and cartilaginous fish, including early forms of Hybodont and Neoselachian sharks. These ancient sharks were agile predators, feeding on small fish, invertebrates, and even juvenile marine reptiles.

Because shark skeletons were composed of cartilage rather than bone, they rarely fossilised completely—making coprolites and teeth among the most common and informative remains of these prehistoric creatures. Each coprolite tells a story of feeding behaviour, ecosystem structure, and the biological processes of these ancient oceans.

Scientific and Collector Significance

This specimen is not just an unusual fossil curiosity—it is a snapshot of Jurassic marine life, encapsulating both predator and prey. The presence of fish scales and bone inclusions gives it considerable palaeoecological importance, as it provides evidence of diet, digestion, and the functioning of ancient food chains.

Collectors prize such pieces for their scientific authenticity and rarity, as coprolites with visible inclusions are far less common than smooth, homogenous specimens. It also makes for an intriguing and conversation-starting display piece—an authentic connection to life 190 million years ago beneath the Jurassic seas.

A Window into the Jurassic World

This Shark Coprolite Fossil from Charmouth, Dorset represents a tangible link to the Early Jurassic seas, where predators like ancient sharks played a vital role in the marine ecosystem. Each specimen is unique, naturally formed, and millions of years old—a remarkable relic of ancient life, beautifully preserved by time.

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