Miocene Fossil Scallop Shell Cluster Doue la Fontaine France Genuine COA Included Rare Marine Bivalve Specimen

Description

Genuine Miocene Fossil Scallop Shell Cluster from France

Offered here is a beautiful and authentic Miocene fossil scallop shell cluster, a stunning marine bivalve specimen preserved from the ancient seas of prehistoric France. This fossil comes from the renowned fossil localities of Doué-la-Fontaine, near Bordeaux, and represents a fascinating snapshot of marine life from millions of years ago.

The specimen shown in the photographs is the exact fossil you will receive. It has been carefully selected for its natural cluster formation, strong detail, and excellent presentation value. Full sizing can be seen clearly in the accompanying images.

This fossil is a genuine specimen and includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, making it ideal for collectors, educators, or as a unique natural history gift.

Geological Age – Miocene Period Marine Fossil

This scallop cluster dates to the Miocene Epoch, part of the Neogene Period, spanning approximately 23 to 5 million years ago. The Miocene was a time of significant global change, when modern ecosystems were developing and marine environments supported abundant shellfish, sharks, whales, and diverse reef communities.

The fossil beds of western France, especially around Doué-la-Fontaine, are celebrated for preserving rich Miocene marine assemblages. These sediments record warm, shallow seas that once covered much of the region, leaving behind beautifully fossilised shells in limestone and sandstone deposits.

Fossil Type – Scallop Shells (Marine Bivalve Molluscs)

Scallops belong to the class Bivalvia, a group of molluscs characterised by two hinged shells. Fossil scallops are especially prized for their elegant fan-shaped form and strong ribbed ornamentation.

Scientific classification includes:

• Phylum: Mollusca
• Class: Bivalvia
• Order: Pectinida
• Family: Pectinidae (true scallops)

These shells were produced by free-living marine animals that often rested on sandy seafloors or could swim short distances by rapidly clapping their valves.

Morphology and Display Features

This specimen preserves a natural cluster of scallop shells, offering exceptional visual appeal and scientific interest. Typical features visible in Miocene scallops include:

• Strong radial ribbing across the shell surface
• Broad fan-shaped valve outlines
• Symmetrical growth patterns
• Natural grouping that reflects seabed accumulation

Cluster fossils like this are especially desirable, as they show multiple individuals preserved together, providing a more dynamic glimpse into an ancient marine habitat.

Depositional Environment – Miocene Shallow Seas of France

During the Miocene, the Doué-la-Fontaine region lay beneath a shallow, warm marine environment. These coastal seas supported extensive mollusc communities, including scallops, oysters, gastropods, and other shelled organisms.

After death, shells accumulated on the seafloor, where they became buried by fine sediments. Over time, mineral-rich waters allowed fossilisation, preserving the shells in stone while retaining their distinctive shape and surface detail.

The result is a genuine marine fossil specimen that captures the biodiversity of Miocene France.

Authenticity, Collecting, and Uses

This Miocene fossil scallop shell cluster is perfect for:

• Fossil and mineral collectors
• Natural history display pieces
• Educational study of marine bivalves
• Gifts for geology and palaeontology enthusiasts

You will receive:

• The exact fossil pictured
• A genuine Miocene scallop cluster from France
• Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee card
• A remarkable piece of ancient marine history

A Unique Prehistoric Shell Cluster from the Miocene of Bordeaux

Fossil scallop clusters from Doué-la-Fontaine are increasingly sought after for their combination of beauty, rarity, and geological significance. This specimen is a timeless collector’s fossil, preserving the elegance of Miocene marine life in a natural clustered formation.