RARE British Chalk Fish Jaw & Bones Enchodus lewesiensis Cretaceous Cenomanian Kent UK | Authentic Fossil

Description

This listing offers a rare and scientifically important fossil of Enchodus lewesiensis, including preserved jaw elements and associated bones, from the Cenomanian Chalk of Dunton Green, Kent, England. Specimens showing this level of preservation are uncommon in British marine chalk and provide exceptional insight into early predatory bony fishes.

Geological Context:

• Fossil Type: Fish jaw and skeletal remains
• Species: Enchodus lewesiensis (Woodward, 1901)
• Order: Aulopiformes
• Family: Enchodontidae
• Geological Period: Cretaceous
• Stage: Cenomanian (c. 100.5 to 93.9 million years ago)
• Formation: Lower Chalk Formation
• Location: Dunton Green, Kent, United Kingdom
• Depositional Environment: Open marine chalk sea, deep shelf with low-energy carbonate sedimentation

Scientific Significance: Enchodus lewesiensis is a species of predatory bony fish often referred to as the “sabre-tooth herring” due to its prominent fang-like teeth. Fossils of Enchodus are common globally in Cretaceous strata but are rarely well-preserved in British chalk. This specimen shows exceptional detail with jaw components and skeletal fragments in matrix.

Morphology & Notable Features:

• Preserved jawbone structure, potentially including fangs or teeth sockets
• Dense, chalk matrix with articulated or semi-articulated fish bones
• Specimen demonstrates predatory anatomical adaptations
• Excellent example of British chalk vertebrate fossil preservation

Biozone Association: This specimen likely corresponds to the Holaster subglobosus or Mantelliceras mantelli biozones within the Cenomanian Lower Chalk—important for UK Upper Cretaceous stratigraphy.

Specimen Details:

• Origin: Dunton Green, Kent, England, UK
• Age: Cenomanian Stage, Late Cretaceous (~95 million years old)
• Scale: Scale rule square/cube = 1cm. See photo for accurate sizing
• Condition: Hand-selected for anatomical clarity, completeness, and chalk matrix integrity
• Photo: The exact fossil shown in the image is the one you will receive

Certification & Authenticity: All of our fossils are 100% genuine and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. Each piece is professionally selected and assessed for its scientific and display value.

This rare Enchodus lewesiensis fish fossil from the British Chalk is a superb addition to any palaeontological collection or educational exhibit, offering a direct connection to the ancient seas that once covered southern England.