Promicroceras Calcite Ammonite Fossil Jurassic Coast Black Ven Charmouth Dorset UK England

Description

Specimen Overview

This listing offers a fine Promicroceras calcite ammonite fossil from the world-renowned Black Ven Marls, located at Charmouth near Lyme Regis, Dorset, England. The specimen has been carefully selected for its clear preservation, natural presentation, and strong visual contrast between the pale calcite shell and the darker marl matrix. The photographs show the exact fossil you will receive, with full sizing details visible in the images. As with all of our fossils, this piece is 100% genuine and is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Geological Formation & Provenance

The fossil originates from Black Ven, one of the most famous fossil-bearing cliffs on the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The strata here belong to the Lower Lias Group, dating to the Early Jurassic Period, approximately 199–196 million years old. The Black Ven Marls were deposited in a calm marine environment, where fine-grained sediments settled on the sea floor, rapidly burying shells and protecting them from disturbance. This setting is responsible for the exceptional preservation and abundance of ammonites found in the area.

Fossil Type & Taxonomy

Promicroceras is a classic Lower Jurassic ammonite genus, well known to collectors and palaeontologists alike. Ammonites are extinct marine cephalopods belonging to the Class Cephalopoda, Subclass Ammonoidea, and Order Ammonitida. Promicroceras is typically associated with the earliest Jurassic ammonite assemblages and is valued for its importance in biostratigraphy, helping define specific intervals within the Lower Lias.

Morphology & Preservation

This Promicroceras specimen displays the characteristic coiled shell morphology of the genus, with clearly defined whorls and visible growth features. The shell has undergone calcite replacement, a common preservation style in the Black Ven Marls, which enhances surface detail while retaining the original shell form. Subtle ribbing and curvature can be observed, providing insight into the animal’s growth and life history. The surrounding marl matrix remains intact, preserving the fossil in its original geological context rather than as an isolated shell.

Scientific & Collecting Importance

Ammonites from Charmouth and Lyme Regis have played a crucial role in the development of geological science since the early 19th century. Promicroceras, in particular, is an important early Jurassic index fossil, making specimens from this genus both scientifically informative and highly collectible. Fossils from Black Ven are internationally recognised for their reliable provenance, making them especially desirable for collectors, educators, and display collections.

Display, Care & Authenticity

This fossil is well suited for display in a cabinet, study collection, or educational environment. It has been carefully cleaned to reveal natural features, with no artificial restoration or reconstruction applied. The specimen remains exactly as nature preserved it, offering both authenticity and aesthetic appeal. You will receive the exact fossil shown, accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming its origin and genuine nature.

A classic British ammonite from one of the most famous fossil localities in the world, this Promicroceras calcite ammonite represents a tangible piece of Early Jurassic marine history from the Jurassic Coast.