Description
Authentic Pliosaur Bone Fossil from Sutton Courtenay, Oxfordshire
This genuine fossil bone from a pliosaur originates from the Kimmeridge Clay Formation at Sutton Courtenay in Oxfordshire, England, and dates to the Upper Jurassic Kimmeridgian stage, approximately 157–152 million years ago. Pliosaurs were among the most powerful marine predators of the Jurassic oceans, and fossil remains such as this bone offer a direct connection to these formidable reptiles that once dominated prehistoric seas.
The fossil shown in the photographs is the exact specimen you will receive and has been carefully selected for authenticity and display quality. This specimen includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, confirming that the fossil is genuine. Full sizing can be viewed in the accompanying photographs.
Fossils from the Kimmeridge Clay are highly regarded due to their association with a rich Late Jurassic marine ecosystem and their importance in the study of marine reptiles.
Pliosaurs – Apex Marine Reptiles of the Jurassic Seas
Pliosaurs were large marine reptiles belonging to the order Plesiosauria, specifically within the suborder Pliosauroidea. Unlike their long-necked plesiosaur relatives, pliosaurs possessed short, powerful necks and massive skulls filled with large conical teeth adapted for capturing large prey.
These animals were powerful swimmers, propelled by four large paddle-like flippers that allowed them to move efficiently through Jurassic seas. Their robust bodies and enormous jaws made them formidable predators capable of hunting fish, ammonites, and even other marine reptiles.
Many pliosaurs reached lengths of several metres, and some species grew to enormous sizes. Their skeletons were composed of dense bones adapted to withstand the stresses of swimming and predation in open marine environments.
Isolated bones such as this specimen provide valuable evidence of the anatomy and skeletal structure of these ancient marine reptiles.
Geological Formation – Kimmeridge Clay Formation
This fossil was preserved in the Kimmeridge Clay Formation, a well-known Upper Jurassic geological unit widely exposed across southern England. The formation consists primarily of dark organic-rich clay and shale that accumulated in a relatively deep marine basin.
During the Kimmeridgian stage, southern Britain was covered by a warm shallow sea connected to the wider Tethys Ocean. Fine sediments settled slowly on the seabed, burying marine organisms and skeletal remains.
The Kimmeridge Clay Formation is famous for its rich fossil content, including ammonites, belemnites, fish, marine reptiles such as pliosaurs and ichthyosaurs, and numerous other marine organisms.
These sediments formed under conditions that often limited oxygen on the seabed, which helped preserve organic material and skeletal remains before they could decay.
Morphology and Fossil Characteristics
Pliosaur bones are typically dense and robust, reflecting the powerful musculature required to propel these large reptiles through the water. Their skeletal structure was adapted to support a strong body capable of rapid movement and powerful predatory strikes.
In fossil form, these bones often retain their natural structure and texture, with mineralisation preserving the internal bone framework. The fossilisation process replaces the original organic material with minerals while maintaining the original shape and structural features of the bone.
Even isolated bones provide important information about the anatomy of marine reptiles and contribute to the broader understanding of Jurassic marine ecosystems.
Late Jurassic Marine Environment of Southern England
During the Late Jurassic, the region that is now southern England was submerged beneath a shallow epicontinental sea. This marine environment supported a complex food web of invertebrates, fish, and large marine reptiles.
Ammonites and belemnites were abundant in the water column, while fish formed an important food source for larger predators. Pliosaurs occupied the top levels of this ecosystem, acting as apex predators within Jurassic seas.
When these animals died, their remains sometimes settled onto the seabed where they became buried within fine clay sediments. Over millions of years these sediments hardened into rock while the bones became mineralised, preserving the fossils that are discovered today.
The deposits at Sutton Courtenay represent part of this ancient marine environment and provide valuable evidence of the animals that inhabited Jurassic oceans.
Authenticity and Collector Information
This fossil is a genuine specimen from the Upper Jurassic Kimmeridge Clay Formation of Sutton Courtenay, Oxfordshire, UK. The photographs show the exact fossil you will receive, providing collectors with full transparency.
The specimen includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, confirming the authenticity of the fossil.
Pliosaur fossils are highly sought after by collectors due to their connection with some of the most powerful marine reptiles in Earth’s history. This fossil bone makes an excellent addition to any fossil collection, marine reptile display, Jurassic specimen set, or natural history cabinet focused on prehistoric ocean predators.
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