Mass Crinoid and Shell Death Bed Fossil Air Abrasion Etched Blue Lias Jurassic Hock Cliff UK

Description

Mass Crinoid and Shell Death Bed from the Jurassic Coast

This striking specimen represents a Mass Crinoid and Shell Death Bed, discovered in the famous Blue Lias Formation at Hock Cliff, Gloucestershire, UK. Dating back to the Lower Jurassic period (approximately 199–190 million years ago), this slab captures a rare moment in geological time, preserving an accumulation of fossilised crinoid stems, star-shaped ossicles, and associated marine shells. The fossil has been air abrasion etched to reveal exquisite fine detail, enhancing the contrast of the skeletal structures against the matrix.

Collected on 19 September 2025 by our team members Alister and Alison, this specimen has been carefully cleaned, prepped, and treated by Alison, ensuring both scientific accuracy and aesthetic quality. The fossil you see in the photographs is the exact piece you will receive, accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity to guarantee its provenance and genuineness.

Geological Setting – The Blue Lias Formation

The Blue Lias Formation is one of the most significant fossil-bearing rock sequences in Britain. It consists of alternating layers of limestone, shale, and mudstone deposited in shallow marine conditions during the Hettangian to Sinemurian stages of the Lower Jurassic. These strata are rich in fossils, particularly ammonites, bivalves, brachiopods, and crinoids, and provide key evidence of early Jurassic marine ecosystems.

Hock Cliff is a celebrated fossil locality, renowned for its accessibility and abundance of high-quality specimens. The calm, sediment-rich depositional environment of the Blue Lias allowed delicate organisms such as crinoids to be preserved in situ, often in dense accumulations known as death beds.

Crinoids – Ancient Sea Lilies

Crinoids, often called “sea lilies”, are marine echinoderms related to starfish and sea urchins. They thrived in Jurassic seas, attaching themselves to the seabed with root-like structures and filtering food particles from the water with their feathery arms. In this slab, the fossilised crinoid ossicles and stems are preserved in beautiful detail, creating a natural pattern that speaks to the abundance of these animals in the ancient ecosystem.

The term “death bed” refers to fossil layers where numerous individuals of a species were buried and fossilised together, often due to sudden sedimentation events. These beds provide a snapshot of life and death on the Jurassic seabed.

Associated Fossils and Scientific Significance

Alongside the crinoid remains, the slab contains various shell fragments from bivalves and brachiopods, offering insight into the diversity of the marine community. Such assemblages are scientifically important as they allow paleontologists to reconstruct ancient ecosystems, identify faunal relationships, and correlate rock strata across regions using index fossils.

The combination of crinoids and shell material highlights the balance of sessile filter feeders and mobile molluscs within Jurassic seas. The etched surface provides excellent visibility of these fossils, making it both a scientifically valuable specimen and a visually striking display piece.

Fossil Details

• Fossil Type: Mass Crinoid and Shell Death Bed Slab
• Preservation: Air Abrasion Etched for clarity
• Geological Formation: Blue Lias
• Age: Lower Jurassic (~199–190 million years ago)
• Location: Hock Cliff, Gloucestershire, UK
• Discovered by: Alister and Alison
• Discovery Date: 19 September 2025
• Prepared by: Alison
• Guarantee: 100% genuine specimen with Certificate of Authenticity

This Mass Crinoid and Shell Death Bed fossil offers a unique window into the marine life of the early Jurassic. Its intricate preservation and professional preparation make it a superb addition for collectors, educators, or anyone with a passion for natural history.