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Neptunea contraria Fossil Gastropod Red Crag Formation Pliocene UK Shell Fossil Walton-on-Naze, Essex
Neptunea contraria Fossil Gastropod Red Crag Formation Pliocene UK Shell Fossil Walton-on-Naze, Essex - Image 2

Neptunea contraria Fossil Gastropod Red Crag Formation Pliocene UK Shell Fossil Walton-on-Naze, Essex

Original price was: £24.00.Current price is: £20.40.

This listing features a beautiful and scientifically notable Neptunea contraria fossil gastropod, discovered in the Red Crag Formation of Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, UK. Dating to the Pliocene Epoch (~2.6 to 5 million years ago), this fossil represents a fascinating glimpse into Britain’s prehistoric marine ecosystems.

Neptunea contraria is a large marine snail notable for its rare sinistral (left-coiling) shell—an unusual trait in gastropods, which typically exhibit dextral (right-handed) coiling. This reversed spiral pattern makes Neptunea contraria highly prized among collectors and fossil enthusiasts alike.

The Red Crag Formation, where this specimen was found, is composed of shelly sands laid down in warm, shallow seas that once covered parts of southeast England during the Pliocene. It is one of the UK’s most fossiliferous marine deposits, yielding a wide array of molluscs, corals, and vertebrate remains.

This gastropod fossil displays its classic spiral morphology, and its preservation in flinty sediments typical of the Red Crag adds to its visual and scientific interest. These fossils are increasingly rare due to coastal erosion and limited access to key fossil-bearing horizons.

Item Details:

  • Specimen: Neptunea contraria (Gastropod Shell Fossil)
  • Age: Pliocene Epoch (~2.6–5 million years ago)
  • Geological Formation: Red Crag Formation
  • Location Found: Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, UK
  • Scale Reference: Scale cube/squares = 1cm (please see photo for full sizing)
  • Certificate of Authenticity: Included
  • Discovery Date: Found by our own team members Alister and Alison on 29 March 2025, and professionally cleaned, prepped, and treated by Alison

ACTUAL AS SEEN:

The image shows the exact specimen you will receive. The fossil has been carefully chosen for quality and preservation, with all photography done in-house. Measurements are as accurate as possible, but keep in mind slight variations may occur due to the irregular natural shape of fossils.

Please Note:

  • Some fossils may be gently propped for photography.
  • Colour may vary slightly due to lighting and device display.
  • Once this item is sold, a new, similarly selected fossil will be listed with fresh photos and details.

100% Genuine Fossil – Professionally Selected – Certificate of Authenticity Included

(Actual as seen)

Only 1 left in stock

SKU: UF3084 Category:

Description

Neptunea contraria Fossil Gastropod

This fossil listing features a Neptunea contraria fossil gastropod identified with the Red Crag Formation and Pliocene age. The specimen location is Walton-on-Naze, Essex, UK, an important fossil collecting area on the Essex coast. It is a distinctive addition for collectors interested in British fossils, Pliocene marine life, gastropod fossils and the geology of eastern England.

Identification and Geological Context

Neptunea contraria is a marine gastropod, a type of mollusc related to modern whelks and other spiral-shelled sea snails. The species name is associated with a fossil record from marine sediments, making it relevant to the study of past coastal and shallow-marine environments. This example is identified as coming from the Red Crag Formation, a well-known Pliocene geological formation in eastern England.

The Pliocene was a period of significant environmental change in the later part of the Neogene. Fossils from this interval can provide useful evidence of former marine ecosystems, changing coastlines and the distribution of marine organisms through geological time. A Neptunea contraria fossil therefore combines natural history interest with regional geological significance.

Walton-on-Naze, Essex

Walton-on-Naze is recognised for its fossil-bearing coastal deposits and its importance in the study of the geology of Essex. The locality connects this gastropod fossil with the regional history of the North Sea basin and the marine environments represented by the Red Crag Formation. For collectors, locality information adds educational value and helps place the fossil within its wider geological setting.

Collector and Display Interest

This Neptunea contraria fossil gastropod is suitable for fossil collections, geology displays, natural history cabinets and educational use. It offers an accessible way to explore gastropod evolution, Pliocene marine environments and the fossil geology of the United Kingdom. The specimen may also appeal to collectors specialising in Red Crag fossils, Essex fossils, British marine fossils or Pliocene specimens.

Its identification and locality make it especially relevant to anyone building a themed collection around fossil gastropods or the geological record of eastern England. It can be displayed as a standalone natural-history specimen or alongside other fossils from the Pliocene and Red Crag Formation for comparison and study.

Photograph and Sizing Information

The photograph shows the actual specimen you will receive.

Full sizing is shown in the photographs. Please review the photographs carefully for the specimen’s presentation and scale before purchasing.

Certificate of Authenticity

This Fossil is a genuine specimen and Includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card.

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