Ichthyosaur Fossil Reptile Vertebra Jurassic Coast Black Ven Charmouth Dorset UK

Description

Specimen Overview

Offered here is a genuine Ichthyosaur fossil reptile vertebra recovered from the renowned Black Ven Marls at Charmouth, near Lyme Regis, Dorset. This carefully chosen specimen preserves the robust, disk-like form characteristic of ichthyosaur vertebrae and represents a tangible element of a Jurassic marine reptile skeleton. The photographs show the exact fossil you will receive, with full sizing details clearly visible in the images. As with all of our fossils, this specimen is 100% genuine and supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Geological Formation & Provenance

The fossil originates from Black Ven, one of the most important fossil localities on the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its continuous exposure of Early Jurassic strata. The Black Ven Marls form part of the Lower Lias Group, deposited during the Early Jurassic Period, approximately 199–196 million years ago. These fine-grained marine mudstones were laid down in a relatively calm offshore environment, where organic remains could be rapidly buried by sediment. Such conditions are ideal for preserving both invertebrates and vertebrate remains, including marine reptiles such as ichthyosaurs.

Fossil Type & Taxonomic Context

Ichthyosaurs were extinct marine reptiles belonging to the Order Ichthyosauria, highly adapted for life in open seas and often compared in body form to modern dolphins. They were among the dominant marine predators of the Jurassic oceans. Vertebrae are one of the most commonly preserved elements of ichthyosaur skeletons due to their dense bone structure, making them an important and recognisable fossil type. Lower Lias ichthyosaur material from Dorset has played a key role in the historical understanding of marine reptiles since the early nineteenth century.

Morphology & Preservation

This vertebra displays the classic ichthyosaur morphology, typically characterised by a short, wide centrum adapted for powerful swimming. The fossil preserves natural surface texture and structure, allowing appreciation of the bone’s original form. Encased within the surrounding marl matrix, the vertebra retains its geological context rather than being a loose or isolated bone. Preservation from the Black Ven Marls often results in strong, stable fossils well suited to both study and display.

Depositional Environment & Formation

During the Early Jurassic, the area now known as Dorset lay beneath a warm, shallow sea rich in marine life. Ichthyosaurs thrived in these waters, preying on fish and cephalopods. After death, skeletal elements such as vertebrae could settle on the seabed and become buried within fine muds. Over millions of years, these sediments compacted and lithified into the marls seen today, preserving vertebrate remains alongside ammonites, belemnites, and other classic Jurassic fossils.

Scientific & Collecting Significance

Ichthyosaur fossils from Charmouth and Lyme Regis are internationally recognised and historically important, with the area closely associated with early discoveries that shaped palaeontology. Vertebrae provide valuable insight into ichthyosaur anatomy, locomotion, and adaptation to marine life. Fossils from Black Ven are particularly prized for their reliable provenance and stratigraphic integrity, making them desirable to collectors, educators, and enthusiasts of marine reptiles.

Display, Care & Authenticity

This fossil is ideal for display in a private collection, educational setting, or natural history cabinet, offering both visual impact and scientific interest. The specimen has been carefully cleaned to reveal its natural features, with no artificial restoration or reconstruction applied. You will receive the exact specimen shown, accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming its geological origin and genuine nature.

A classic and historically significant marine reptile fossil from one of Britain’s most famous fossil cliffs, this Ichthyosaur vertebra from the Black Ven Marls represents an authentic piece of Early Jurassic marine life from the Jurassic Coast.