Description
Authentic Quenstedtoceras lamberti Fossil Ammonite
This is a genuine Quenstedtoceras lamberti fossil ammonite from the Oxfordian Stage of the Jurassic Period, discovered at Tidmoor Point, The Fleet, Dorset, United Kingdom. Dating back over 160 million years, this ammonite is a remarkable specimen from the world-famous Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its fossil richness and geological significance. Every fossil we offer is carefully selected and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, guaranteeing that it is a 100% genuine specimen. The photographs show the exact ammonite you will receive, ensuring transparency and accuracy.
Geological Age and Setting
The Oxfordian Stage (approximately 163–157 million years ago) represents the beginning of the Upper Jurassic. During this time, much of southern England was covered by shallow seas, with warm, nutrient-rich waters supporting diverse marine ecosystems. Tidmoor Point, part of The Fleet lagoon near Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, is an especially important fossil locality, where fine-grained sedimentary rocks preserved a wealth of ammonites and other marine life.
Quenstedtoceras lamberti is one of the key ammonites used in defining Jurassic biozones, making this specimen highly valuable not just as a collector’s item, but also as a scientifically important fossil.
Scientific Classification
- Genus: Quenstedtoceras
- Species: Quenstedtoceras lamberti
- Family: Cardioceratidae
- Superfamily: Stephanoceratoidea
- Order: Ammonitida
- Class: Cephalopoda
- Age: Oxfordian, Jurassic (~163–157 million years ago)
- Locality: Tidmoor Point, The Fleet, Dorset, United Kingdom
Morphological Features
This ammonite exhibits the classic features of Quenstedtoceras lamberti, with evolute coiling and pronounced ribbing running across its whorls. The ribs are strong and widely spaced, crossing the venter uninterrupted, giving the shell a bold and striking appearance. These distinctive characteristics make it an easily recognisable species within the genus. The ornamentation not only gives aesthetic appeal but also provides key traits used by palaeontologists to identify and classify specimens.
As with other ammonites, the shell structure was divided into chambers filled with gas or liquid, enabling buoyancy control. This adaptation allowed ammonites to move vertically through the water column and actively hunt prey such as plankton, crustaceans, and small fish.
Palaeontological Importance
Quenstedtoceras lamberti holds an essential role in biostratigraphy, marking the base of the Lamberti Zone, which is a defining biozone within the Oxfordian Stage. This makes the species a vital reference point for correlating rock layers across different regions. Its presence in Dorset connects the Jurassic deposits of southern England to sequences across Europe, underlining its importance in geological research.
Owning a specimen of Quenstedtoceras lamberti is not only an opportunity to appreciate a striking fossil but also a way to hold a piece of geological history that has helped define our understanding of Jurassic time scales.
Depositional Environment
The sediments at Tidmoor Point were deposited in a low-energy marine environment, likely a quiet, shallow sea with calm conditions conducive to fossil preservation. The fine-grained sediments allowed ammonites to be rapidly buried after death, protecting their shells from damage and ensuring that details of their morphology were preserved for millions of years.
Collectability and Display Value
This Quenstedtoceras lamberti fossil ammonite from Dorset is a prime example of a scientifically significant and visually striking fossil. Its bold ribbing, historical locality, and role in biostratigraphy make it highly sought after by collectors, educators, and enthusiasts of natural history.
- Type: Fossil Ammonite – Quenstedtoceras lamberti
- Age: Oxfordian, Jurassic (~163–157 million years ago)
- Origin: Tidmoor Point, The Fleet, Dorset, United Kingdom
- Scale: Rule squares/cube = 1 cm (please refer to photos for precise size)
- Authenticity: 100% genuine specimen with Certificate of Authenticity
- Guarantee: The exact specimen pictured is the one you will receive
This ammonite is not only a beautiful collector’s fossil but also a scientifically important specimen from Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, offering a rare chance to own a piece of Britain’s rich geological heritage.
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