Description
Genuine Lima gigantea Bivalve Fossil
This listing is for a genuine Lima gigantea fossil bivalve from the Inferior Oolite of the Jurassic Coast: Burton Bradstock, Dorset, UK. This carefully chosen fossil specimen includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card. The photo shows the actual fossil you will receive, allowing you to view the natural shell form, preservation, surface detail, matrix, colour and overall display character of this individual piece before purchase. Full sizing details can be seen in the photo.
Your specimen was discovered by our own team members, Alister and Alison, and has been cleaned, prepped and treated by Alison. This gives the fossil a clear collecting history, from discovery through to careful preparation and presentation, making it an appealing choice for collectors who value genuine provenance and authentic British Jurassic fossils.
Lima gigantea Species Information
Lima gigantea is a Jurassic fossil bivalve, part of a group of marine molluscs with two hinged shell valves. Bivalves were widespread in Jurassic seas and formed an important part of ancient marine ecosystems, living on, within or near the seabed. Fossil bivalves are especially valued because they preserve evidence of the shell-bearing communities that lived alongside ammonites, brachiopods, gastropods, echinoids, crinoids and other marine animals.
The genus Lima is known for its attractive shell form and ribbed ornamentation. Lima gigantea, as the name suggests, is associated with a larger and more substantial shell form than many smaller Jurassic bivalves. Depending on preservation, specimens may show a broad valve outline, radiating ribs, growth lines, hinge area detail, shell curvature and natural surface texture. These features give the fossil strong visual appeal and make it suitable for both display and study.
Bivalves such as Lima gigantea help represent the seabed community of the Jurassic marine environment. Unlike ammonites, which were active swimming cephalopods, bivalves were part of the benthic ecosystem, living in close association with sediment, shell beds and shallow marine habitats. This makes the specimen a valuable addition to collections focused on ancient sea-floor life and British Jurassic palaeontology.
Inferior Oolite Geological Setting
This specimen comes from the Inferior Oolite, a well-known Jurassic rock unit in southern England. Oolitic limestone forms from small rounded carbonate grains called ooids, which developed in warm, shallow, agitated seawater. These conditions are often associated with marine shoals, shell-rich seabeds and carbonate sedimentation.
The Inferior Oolite is noted for its marine fossils, including bivalves, ammonites, brachiopods, gastropods, echinoids and other invertebrates. Fossils from this formation record a shallow marine setting that contrasts with the clay-rich Lower Jurassic deposits of Lyme Regis and Charmouth. A Lima gigantea bivalve from the Inferior Oolite therefore offers collectors an interesting view of Middle Jurassic marine life preserved in a classic British limestone unit.
Burton Bradstock and the Jurassic Coast
Burton Bradstock is a classic fossil locality on the Dorset Jurassic Coast, known for its coastal cliffs and fossil-bearing Jurassic rocks. Specimens from this area are highly collectable because they combine strong British locality appeal with recognised geological context. Dorset is internationally famous for its fossil heritage, and Burton Bradstock provides an important Middle Jurassic fossil setting within the wider Jurassic Coast region.
A Lima gigantea fossil from Burton Bradstock is well suited to collections focused on British fossils, Dorset fossils, Jurassic bivalves, Inferior Oolite specimens and ancient marine environments. Its named species, attractive shell form and locality make it a distinctive fossil for cabinet display, educational use or natural history collections.
Preparation, Authenticity and Display Appeal
This Lima gigantea bivalve fossil has been cleaned, prepped and treated by Alison to help present the specimen clearly while retaining its natural geological character. Careful preparation is important with bivalve fossils, as it helps reveal the shell outline, ribbing, surface detail and matrix while preserving the authentic appearance of the piece.
The specimen is suitable for fossil collectors, bivalve enthusiasts, geology students, natural history displays, educational collections, cabinet displays or as a distinctive gift for someone interested in British palaeontology. It is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, confirming that it is a genuine fossil specimen. The fossil shown in the photo is the exact piece you will receive.
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