Description
Genuine Mantelliceras cf. cantianum Ammonite Fossil
This listing is for a genuine Mantelliceras cf. cantianum ammonite fossil from the Chalk Group, Lower Cenomanian, Schloenbachia varians Zone, Beachy Head, East Sussex, UK. This carefully chosen fossil specimen represents an extinct marine cephalopod from the early Late Cretaceous, when warm shallow seas covered much of southern England. The photograph shows the actual fossil you will receive, so please refer to the image for full sizing, shape, colour, preservation, surface detail, matrix, and overall display character.
Mantelliceras ammonites are highly collectible Cretaceous fossils, especially for collectors interested in British chalk fossils, Sussex fossils, Beachy Head geology, ammonite evolution, and named fossil specimens with clear stratigraphic context. This example is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, making it a strong choice for display, study, collection cataloguing, or gifting.
Fossil Type and Species Information
Mantelliceras is an extinct genus of ammonite, a group of marine molluscs belonging to the cephalopods. Ammonites were related to modern squid, cuttlefish, octopus, and nautilus, but lived inside coiled chambered shells. The living animal occupied the outer body chamber, while the earlier shell chambers helped with buoyancy control in the water column.
This fossil is identified as Mantelliceras cf. cantianum. The use of “cf.” means the specimen compares closely with Mantelliceras cantianum, while allowing for careful palaeontological caution where preservation or variation may make a fully certain species-level assignment difficult. This makes the fossil especially interesting for collectors who appreciate accurate scientific wording and natural variation within fossil ammonites.
Mantelliceras is known for its robust coiled shell form and ornamented ribbing. Depending on preservation, examples may show strong ribs, whorl curvature, compressed shell form, tubercles or nodal features, chamber traces, natural shell surface texture, mineral staining, and areas of matrix contact. These details give the fossil both decorative appeal and scientific interest.
Geological Age, Zone and Chalk Group Context
This specimen comes from the Lower Cenomanian, within the early part of the Late Cretaceous. The Cenomanian Stage dates to approximately 100.5 to 93.9 million years ago and was a time of notably high global sea levels. During this period, southern Britain lay beneath a warm marine environment where carbonate-rich sediment accumulated over long periods.
The fossil is from the Schloenbachia varians Zone, an important Lower Cenomanian ammonite biozone used for dating and correlating Cretaceous rocks. Biozones based on ammonites are valuable because ammonites evolved rapidly and were widely distributed in ancient seas, making them useful markers for comparing rock layers across different localities.
The Chalk Group is one of the most famous geological units in the United Kingdom. It was formed mainly from the microscopic calcareous remains of marine plankton, which settled to the sea floor and gradually became compacted into chalk. Fossils from the Chalk Group may include ammonites, bivalves, echinoids, sponges, brachiopods, fish remains, and other marine organisms.
Beachy Head, East Sussex Locality
Beachy Head in East Sussex is one of Britain’s most iconic chalk cliff localities, with dramatic coastal exposures that reveal important Cretaceous geology. Fossils from this area are desirable because they combine a classic British locality with a clear geological setting and strong natural history interest.
During the Lower Cenomanian, the area now known as Beachy Head was part of a marine shelf environment. The fossil record from these rocks provides evidence of the organisms that lived in the Cretaceous sea, including ammonites such as Mantelliceras and Schloenbachia. A fossil from this locality is an excellent addition to a collection focused on UK fossils, Chalk Group fossils, Sussex palaeontology, or Cretaceous marine life.
Morphology and Natural Preservation
This Mantelliceras cf. cantianum ammonite has been selected for its natural character and display suitability. The coiled shell form is instantly recognisable and remains one of the most popular shapes in fossil collecting. The fossil may show ribbing, whorl structure, shell curvature, surface texture, mineral colour variation, chalk or matrix contact, and evidence of natural preservation within the surrounding sediment.
As a genuine fossil specimen, it may include small cracks, weathered areas, edge wear, sediment marks, partial preservation, mineral staining, or sections where the fossil continues into the matrix. These features are normal characteristics of authentic fossils and form part of the individual identity of the specimen.
Collecting, Display and Gift Appeal
This Mantelliceras cf. cantianum ammonite fossil is ideal for a fossil cabinet, collector’s shelf, study, office, classroom, natural history display, museum-style arrangement, or geology-themed collection. Its named identification, Lower Cenomanian age, Schloenbachia varians Zone provenance, Chalk Group origin, and Beachy Head locality make it a particularly appealing British fossil specimen.
It would make a thoughtful gift for fossil collectors, ammonite enthusiasts, geology students, teachers, palaeontology fans, natural history collectors, or anyone interested in prehistoric marine life. The fossil is well suited to buyers searching for genuine ammonite fossils, Cretaceous fossils, Chalk Group fossils, Beachy Head fossils, Sussex fossils, UK fossil specimens, and certified display fossils.
Authenticity and Certificate
This fossil is a genuine specimen and includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card. The included certificate provides reassurance that the item supplied is an authentic fossil specimen selected for collecting, study, display, and gifting.
The photograph shows the actual Mantelliceras cf. cantianum ammonite fossil you will receive. Please view the image carefully for full sizing, fossil detail, colour, preservation, matrix, natural features, and overall display quality.
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