Polished Petrified Fossil Wood from Black Ven Marls Jurassic Coast Stonebarrow Cliff Charmouth Dorset COA

Description

Polished Petrified Fossil Wood from the Jurassic Coast – Black Ven Marls, Charmouth

This beautiful polished petrified fossil wood specimen comes from the iconic Black Ven Marls of the Lower Lias, situated along the world-famous Jurassic Coast at Stonebarrow Cliff, Charmouth, Dorset, UK. Your specimen was discovered on 30 November 2025 by our own team members, Alister and Alison, and has been professionally cleaned, prepared, and treated by Alison to ensure both stability and optimal display quality. The piece shown in the photographs is the exact fossil you will receive, and every specimen is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Geological Context – Lower Lias, Early Jurassic

The Black Ven Marls form part of the Lower Lias, a sequence of marine sediments deposited during the Early Jurassic Period (~201–190 million years ago). This region is renowned for its rich fossil heritage, particularly ammonites, marine reptiles, and occasional terrestrial plant debris transported into the marine environment. The marls and shales accumulated in a relatively calm, offshore depositional setting, where fine sediments rapidly buried organic material, aiding the preservation process that ultimately allowed wood to fossilise.

Over millions of years, silica-rich fluids infiltrated the buried wood, replacing the organic tissues on a microscopic scale. This process, known as permineralisation, results in the transformation of the original wood into a durable, stone-like fossil while retaining its internal structure. When polished, the growth rings, grain patterns, and mineral veining become beautifully visible, creating a natural specimen that is both scientifically valuable and visually striking.

Fossil Type – Petrified Wood with Exceptional Detail

Petrified wood from the Black Ven area is comparatively rare compared to the more common ammonite and belemnite finds. Specimens like this one often represent driftwood or fragments of land plants transported into the Jurassic sea during storms or floods. Once deposited, they became rapidly buried by the fine-grained marls, allowing cellular structures to be replaced by silica and other minerals.

Polishing reveals:

• Growth rings displaying subtle banding
• Mineral infill patterns that reflect silica replacement
• Organic structural textures preserved in stone
• Natural colour variations created by iron oxides and other trace minerals

These features make each specimen entirely unique, both as a fossil and as a natural display piece.

Charmouth and Stonebarrow Cliff – A World-Famous Locality

The Jurassic Coast of Dorset is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its continuous geological record spanning the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. The Charmouth–Lyme Regis stretch, including Stonebarrow Cliff and Black Ven, is one of the most productive fossil-hunting areas in Britain. Fossils from this locality are collected by researchers, museums, and enthusiasts worldwide.

The Black Ven Marls, located between the Shales-with-Beef and the Blue Lias Formation, are particularly rich in Early Jurassic palaeontological material. Their clay-rich layers split cleanly, revealing fossils in excellent condition, including rare terrestrial plant material such as petrified wood.

Your Genuine Fossil Specimen

• Fossil Type: Polished Petrified Wood
• Geological Formation: Black Ven Marls
• Age: Lower Lias, Early Jurassic
• Locality: Stonebarrow Cliff, Charmouth, Dorset, UK
• Discovery: Found by Alister and Alison on 30 November 2025
• Preparation: Cleaned, prepped, and treated by Alison
• Authenticity: Guaranteed genuine; Certificate of Authenticity included
• Sizing: Full measurements shown in the listing photographs
• Exact Specimen: You will receive the fossil shown

This polished petrified fossil wood specimen is perfect for collectors, display pieces, educational use, and anyone who appreciates the natural artistry formed by deep time. Its combination of geological significance, aesthetic beauty, and local provenance makes it a standout addition to any fossil collection.