Description
Authentic Quenstedtoceras mariae Ammonite Fossil from the United Kingdom
This listing offers a genuine Quenstedtoceras mariae ammonite fossil, originating from the Callovian Stage of the Jurassic Period, approximately 166–163 million years ago. Discovered in Wrotham, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom, this fossil comes from a region renowned for its richly fossiliferous Middle Jurassic strata. The specimen is a carefully chosen, fully authentic piece and will be supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity. The fossil pictured is the exact one you will receive, providing confidence in its identity and quality.
Geological Age and Provenance
The Callovian Stage represents the upper part of the Middle Jurassic, a time when much of southern England lay beneath shallow seas. These warm, epicontinental waters provided an ideal environment for ammonites, which flourished in large numbers and diversified into a wide range of forms. The strata at Wrotham, Buckinghamshire, are well known for producing excellent examples of Quenstedtoceras, an ammonite genus that serves as an important index fossil for this stage of the Jurassic.
Scientific Classification
- Species: Quenstedtoceras mariae
- Genus: Quenstedtoceras
- Family: Cardioceratidae
- Superfamily: Stephanoceratoidea
- Order: Ammonitida
- Class: Cephalopoda
- Age: Callovian Stage, Jurassic Period
- Locality: Wrotham, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
Morphological Features
Quenstedtoceras mariae is notable for its strongly ribbed and compressed shell form. This specimen displays the classic ribbing that radiates outward across the whorls, a hallmark of the genus. The shell is moderately involute, with inner whorls partially visible, and the venter (outer edge) often displays a pronounced keel. These features not only served functional purposes in buoyancy and swimming but also provide a striking, natural beauty that makes ammonites highly prized by collectors.
Biozone and Scientific Importance
Quenstedtoceras mariae is of particular paleontological significance because it helps define the Mariae Zone within the Callovian Stage. This zone is a key biostratigraphic marker that allows geologists to precisely correlate rock layers across Europe and beyond. Ammonites like Q. mariae are critical to understanding the timing and distribution of marine faunas during the Middle Jurassic, making this specimen an excellent reference for both collectors and researchers.
Depositional Environment
During the Callovian, the seas covering southern England were relatively shallow and warm, supporting diverse marine ecosystems. Ammonites thrived in these environments, often drifting through the water column as active predators or scavengers. Upon death, their shells settled onto the seabed, where they were buried by fine sediments. Over millions of years, mineralisation preserved their intricate forms, resulting in fossils such as this specimen from Wrotham.
Collector’s Value and Appeal
This Quenstedtoceras mariae ammonite fossil combines scientific significance with natural aesthetic beauty. Its ribbed structure and distinct shell form make it an impressive display fossil, while its provenance from Wrotham, Buckinghamshire, adds further rarity and desirability. For collectors of British Jurassic ammonites, this specimen represents a classic and scientifically important species that has been formally recognised in the stratigraphic record.
Item Details
- Type: Fossil Ammonite – Quenstedtoceras mariae
- Age: Callovian, Jurassic Period (approx. 166–163 million years old)
- Location: Wrotham, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
- Notable Features: Strong ribbing, keel, well-preserved shell form
- Scale: Rule squares/cube = 1 cm (see photos for accurate sizing)
- Authenticity: Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity
- Specimen: The fossil pictured is the exact one you will receive
A scientifically important and visually striking Jurassic ammonite fossil that showcases the beauty and history of ancient life in Britain.
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