Morphoceras Ammonite Fossil Lower Bathonian Jurassic West Bay Dorset UK

Description

Genuine Morphoceras Ammonite Fossil

This is a genuine Morphoceras sp. ammonite fossil from the Lower Bathonian Stage of the Middle Jurassic. It comes from West Bay on the Dorset coast of the United Kingdom, an internationally admired fossil-collecting region within the wider Jurassic Coast. The specimen shown in the photographs is the actual fossil that will be supplied, allowing you to assess its natural form, colour, matrix and preservation before purchase.

Geological Age and Locality

The Bathonian Stage belongs to the Middle Jurassic and dates to approximately 168 to 166 million years ago. During this interval, southern Britain was covered by warm marine waters in which ammonites and many other sea creatures flourished. Sediments accumulated on the seabed and, under suitable conditions, buried shells that later became mineralised fossils. West Bay lies on the Dorset coast near Bridport, where Jurassic rocks exposed in the cliffs and foreshore provide an important record of these ancient environments.

About Morphoceras

Morphoceras is an ammonite genus recognised for its tightly coiled shell and strongly developed ribbing. Ammonites were extinct marine cephalopods related to modern squid, cuttlefish and nautiluses. Their shells were divided internally into chambers. The animal lived in the final chamber, while the earlier chambers helped with buoyancy in the water column. Individual specimens preserve differing amounts of shell, internal mould and surrounding rock, and these natural variations make each fossil unique.

Scientific and Collecting Interest

Ammonites evolved rapidly and were distributed widely through Jurassic seas, making them particularly useful as guide fossils. Palaeontologists compare characteristic ammonite assemblages between rock layers to establish relative ages and correlate strata across different localities. A Morphoceras specimen from the Bathonian therefore represents both an attractive natural object and a physical example of the evidence used to reconstruct geological time and marine evolution.

This carefully chosen fossil is well suited to a natural-history collection, educational display, study cabinet or thoughtful gift. Its Dorset provenance will appeal to collectors interested in British fossils, Jurassic palaeontology and the geology of the Jurassic Coast. Any irregularities, matrix, weathered areas or mineral variations visible in the photographs are authentic features of the specimen and its long geological history.

Actual Specimen and Sizing

Please inspect every photograph carefully because the images form an important part of the description. You will receive the exact Morphoceras ammonite pictured rather than a substitute. Full sizing is shown in the photograph, giving an accurate visual reference for the scale of the piece. Handle the fossil carefully and display it away from excessive humidity, prolonged direct sunlight and sudden temperature changes.

Certificate of Authenticity

The specimen includes a generic Certificate of Authenticity carrying our lifetime guarantee that it is a genuine fossil. This provides lasting reassurance and provenance for the collector while preserving the connection between the specimen, its Middle Jurassic age and its West Bay, Dorset locality.