Rare Camarasaurus Dinosaur Vertebra Fossil Bone with Metal Stand, Morrison Formation, Upper Jurassic, Harding County USA

Description

Authentic Camarasaurus Dinosaur Vertebra Fossil – Morrison Formation, South Dakota

This outstanding Camarasaurus vertebra fossil originates from the world-renowned Morrison Formation in Harding County, South Dakota, USA, dating to the Upper Jurassic Period (approximately 150–155 million years ago). Expertly mounted on a custom metal display stand, this genuine fossil offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of one of the most iconic sauropod dinosaurs from the golden age of giants.

Every curve, cavity, and ridge in this fossilised vertebra showcases the engineering perfection of one of nature’s largest land animals. The intricate details of bone texture and natural mineralisation tell a story that stretches back more than 150 million years — an enduring testament to life in the Jurassic world.

Geological and Environmental Context

The Morrison Formation is among the most productive and scientifically significant fossil deposits in the world, extending across several U.S. states including South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. These sedimentary rocks were laid down during the Kimmeridgian to Tithonian stages of the Late Jurassic, forming a record of ancient floodplains and river channels that once covered much of the western United States.

Composed mainly of sandstones, siltstones, and mudstones, the Morrison Formation represents an environment shaped by meandering rivers, seasonal floods, and lush lowland vegetation. It was home to an incredible diversity of dinosaurs — including Camarasaurus, Diplodocus, Apatosaurus, Stegosaurus, and Allosaurus.

Fossilisation in this formation occurred through permineralisation, a process in which minerals slowly filled the pores of buried bones, preserving them in exquisite detail. This specimen shows the dense internal structure typical of sauropod vertebrae, with portions of the centrum and neural arch displaying the characteristic hollow chambers (camellae) that reduced the skeleton’s weight while maintaining immense strength. The natural coloration of the fossil — shades of ochre, brown, and grey — reflects mineral content in the sedimentary matrix, including silica and iron oxides.

Camarasaurus – The Sturdy Giant of the Jurassic

Camarasaurus, meaning “chambered lizard,” belonged to the family Camarasauridae within the order Sauropoda. It was a large, quadrupedal herbivore that could grow up to 18 metres long and weigh over 20 tonnes. Camarasaurus was one of the most common and well-understood sauropods of the Morrison Formation, easily identified by its short, box-like skull, spoon-shaped teeth, and powerful, columnar limbs.

The vertebrae of Camarasaurus are among its most distinctive features. They were robust, deeply sculpted, and filled with internal air cavities that made the bones lighter yet extremely strong — an adaptation that helped support its massive frame. This vertebra would have formed part of its enormous neck or back, connecting to a series of over 60 bones that made up its lengthy spine.

Camarasaurus fed primarily on high-growing vegetation such as cycads, conifers, and ginkgoes, using its flexible neck and strong teeth to strip leaves from branches. Its remains are often found in association with other sauropods, suggesting that it may have lived and migrated in herds across Jurassic floodplains.

Display, Provenance, and Authenticity

The fossil is securely mounted on a custom metal stand, allowing stable display and full visibility from multiple angles. Its natural bone texture and geological patina make it both scientifically fascinating and aesthetically impressive. The scale cube (1 cm) in the photograph provides a precise size reference, and the photo depicts the exact specimen you will receive.

All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens, carefully selected, prepared, and authenticated by experts. Each fossil comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, verifying its identity and provenance.

This Camarasaurus vertebra fossil from the Morrison Formation is a breathtaking relic from the Jurassic world — a tangible connection to the age of the giant sauropods, preserved for over 150 million years in the ancient rocks of South Dakota.