Description
Genuine Ovaticeras ovatum Ammonite Fossil
This listing is for a genuine Ovaticeras ovatum ammonite fossil from the Lower Jurassic, Toarcian Stage, collected from Scarborough, North Yorkshire, UK. This is a carefully chosen fossil specimen with strong natural history appeal, selected for collectors who appreciate authentic British Jurassic ammonites, classic Yorkshire Coast fossils, and well-labelled display specimens. The photograph shows the actual specimen you will receive, allowing you to view the fossil’s preservation, colour, natural shape, surface detail, matrix, and overall appearance before purchase. For full sizing, please see the photo.
This fossil is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, confirming that it is a genuine fossil specimen.
Fossil Type and Species
Ovaticeras ovatum is an extinct ammonite, a marine cephalopod related to modern squid, octopus, and cuttlefish. Ammonites lived in coiled, chambered shells and were among the most successful marine animals of the Mesozoic seas. Their shells were divided internally into buoyancy chambers, while the living animal occupied the final body chamber. After death, the empty shell could settle onto the seabed, become buried in sediment, and fossilise over millions of years.
The species Ovaticeras ovatum was originally described by Young and Bird in 1822 and is an important ammonite species from the Lower Jurassic. Ovaticeras belongs to the ammonite family Hildoceratidae, a group well represented in the Toarcian rocks of Britain and Europe. These ammonites are valued not only for their attractive form but also for their scientific importance in identifying and comparing Jurassic marine rock layers.
Lower Jurassic Toarcian Geology
This ammonite comes from the Toarcian Stage of the Lower Jurassic, making it approximately 183 to 174 million years old. The Toarcian was a time of widespread shallow seas across much of what is now Europe. During this period, the area around present-day North Yorkshire formed part of a marine basin where fine muds, silts, and calcareous sediments accumulated on the sea floor.
The Yorkshire Coast is particularly famous for its Lower Jurassic fossils, including ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, marine reptile remains, fish fossils, and plant material washed in from nearby land. Fossils such as Ovaticeras ovatum were preserved in marine sediments after the shells became buried, compacted, and mineralised. Over geological time, these ancient sea-floor deposits became the fossil-bearing rocks found along the North Yorkshire coast today.
Scarborough, North Yorkshire Locality
Scarborough, North Yorkshire is one of Britain’s classic Jurassic fossil areas, forming part of the wider Yorkshire Coast fossil region. Fossils from this coastline are popular with collectors because they represent a rich and well-known sequence of Early Jurassic marine life. An ammonite from Scarborough is a genuine piece of British geological history and is especially desirable for collectors of UK fossils, Yorkshire ammonites, Toarcian ammonites, and classic Jurassic display pieces.
The depositional environment represented by these rocks was a Jurassic marine setting, with ammonites swimming through open water above the sea floor. Their shells eventually settled into soft sediment, where suitable conditions allowed them to be preserved as fossils.
Shell Form and Natural Features
Ovaticeras ammonites are typically recognised by their compressed, moderately involute shell form, narrow venter, keel, and curved ribbing that may be weak to moderate on the inner whorls, becoming finer or smoother towards the outer whorls. These features give the shell an elegant Jurassic ammonite appearance and help distinguish the genus from more heavily ribbed or rounded ammonite forms.
As a genuine fossil, this specimen may show natural features such as mineral staining, matrix attachment, ancient surface wear, slight compression, small chips, weathered areas, or partial preservation. These characteristics are normal in authentic fossil material and form part of the specimen’s geological history. The photo shows the exact fossil being offered, so every visible detail can be viewed before purchase.
Collectable British Jurassic Display Specimen
This Ovaticeras ovatum ammonite fossil is ideal for fossil collectors, geology students, educational collections, natural history displays, school teaching resources, or anyone interested in genuine Jurassic marine fossils. Its combination of Lower Jurassic age, Toarcian geological setting, classic North Yorkshire provenance, and attractive ammonite form makes it a strong addition to any fossil collection.
The specimen comes exactly as shown in the photo and includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, making it a reliable choice for collectors seeking a genuine Ovaticeras ammonite, British Jurassic fossil, Scarborough fossil specimen, or scientifically labelled natural history display piece.
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