Rare Anahoplites daviesi Ammonite Fossil Gault Clay Albian Cretaceous Folkestone United Kingdom Authentic Certified

Description

Rare Anahoplites daviesi Ammonite Fossil

This listing is for a rare Anahoplites daviesi ammonite fossil, collected from the world-famous Gault Clay Formation at Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom, dating to the Albian Stage of the Cretaceous period. This specimen represents one of the classic ammonites of the British Gault Clay and is an authentic, well-preserved fossil selected for its scientific, educational, and collector’s value. The fossil pictured is the exact piece you will receive, with a 1 cm scale cube included for accurate size reference. As with all our fossils, this ammonite is 100% genuine and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Geological Context

The Gault Clay Formation is an internationally significant fossil-bearing deposit, laid down during the Albian Stage (approximately 113–100.5 million years ago). At that time, southern England was covered by a shallow marine sea connected to the Tethys Ocean. The fine, dark clays of this formation were deposited in low-energy marine environments, preserving a rich and diverse fauna of ammonites, bivalves, gastropods, belemnites, and marine reptiles. Folkestone’s coastal exposures are particularly famous for their abundant ammonites, many of which serve as important index fossils for precise stratigraphic dating.

Taxonomy and Classification

• Order: Ammonitida
• Superfamily: Hoplitaceae
• Family: Hoplitidae
• Genus: Anahoplites
• Species: Anahoplites daviesi

Anahoplites daviesi is a member of the Hoplitidae family, a group of ammonites that flourished during the Albian. These ammonites are characterized by their distinctive ribbing and tuberculation, which make them highly identifiable and important in stratigraphy.

Morphological Features

This species typically exhibits a moderately involute shell with rounded whorls. The ornamentation is well developed, with strong, straight to slightly curved ribs running across the flanks and extending to the venter. In A. daviesi, ribbing may be accompanied by small nodules or tubercles near the umbilical shoulder, adding to its diagnostic appearance. These morphological traits not only provide beauty and symmetry but also make the ammonite easily recognizable to paleontologists and collectors alike.

Scientific and Collector Importance

Anahoplites daviesi is a significant biostratigraphic marker fossil within the Gault Clay sequence, helping geologists to correlate layers across Europe and refine the stratigraphy of the Albian Stage. Its restricted time range and distinctive shell features ensure it is highly valuable in scientific research. For collectors, it represents one of the most iconic ammonites from Folkestone, a site that has fascinated paleontologists and fossil enthusiasts for centuries.

Provenance and Authenticity

This specimen was collected from the Folkestone foreshore in Kent, one of the richest ammonite-bearing sites in the world. Each fossil we offer is carefully chosen for quality and authenticity, and we guarantee its genuineness with a Certificate of Authenticity. The fossil is exactly as pictured, with clear photographs showing its size and details.

This rare Anahoplites daviesi ammonite fossil from the Gault Clay of Folkestone is both a scientifically important specimen and a striking addition to any fossil collection, offering a tangible connection to the Cretaceous seas of over 100 million years ago.