Description
Rare Cardioceras praecordatum Ammonite Fossil from the United Kingdom
This listing offers a rare Cardioceras praecordatum ammonite fossil from the Middle Oxfordian stage of the Late Jurassic, discovered in Woodham, United Kingdom. Dating to around 163 – 160 million years ago, this fossil represents one of the more scientifically significant genera of ammonites from Jurassic Europe. Its remarkable preservation and distinctive shell features make it a highly collectible specimen for both private collectors and institutions.
The fossil shown in the photographs is the exact specimen you will receive. A 1 cm scale cube is included in the images for precise size reference. As with all of our fossils, this ammonite is a 100% genuine specimen and is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring both its scientific and historical value.
Geological Context – Middle Oxfordian, Jurassic
The Oxfordian stage of the Jurassic period marks the beginning of the Late Jurassic, a time when shallow seas dominated much of northern Europe. These marine environments created perfect conditions for the preservation of marine organisms such as ammonites, belemnites, and bivalves.
The Woodham locality in the United Kingdom is particularly renowned for producing exceptionally well-preserved ammonites. The fine-grained sediments of the Oxfordian age provided an ideal environment for fossilisation, capturing delicate details of the ammonites’ shells. Fossils from these deposits are scientifically important, as they provide insight into both evolutionary history and the biostratigraphy of the Jurassic seas.
Scientific Classification
- Genus: Cardioceras
- Species: Cardioceras praecordatum
- Order: Ammonitida
- Superfamily: Perisphinctoidea
- Family: Cardioceratidae
- Geological Stage: Middle Oxfordian, Late Jurassic (c. 163 – 160 million years ago)
- Locality: Woodham, United Kingdom
Morphology and Distinctive Features
Ammonites of the genus Cardioceras are particularly well known for their elegant ribbing and sculptural form. This specimen of Cardioceras praecordatum displays:
- Strong, prominent ribbing extending across the shell whorls.
- A compressed shell profile that enhances the ribbed pattern and adds to its visual appeal.
- A characteristic evolute coiling, with earlier whorls visible, showcasing the ammonite’s growth over time.
- Fine detail preserved in the ribbing and shell surface, providing both scientific and aesthetic value.
The ribbed and sculptured shell of Cardioceras is considered diagnostic of the group and is an excellent example of Jurassic ammonite morphology.
Paleoecological Significance
As a free-swimming cephalopod, Cardioceras praecordatum would have been an active predator in Jurassic seas. Its chambered shell provided buoyancy, enabling it to control depth in the water column. Ammonites such as this species would have fed on small crustaceans, molluscs, and plankton.
From a scientific perspective, Cardioceras is an important index fossil for the Middle Oxfordian stage. Its restricted stratigraphic range makes it highly useful for correlating rock layers across Europe and beyond. The presence of C. praecordatum helps geologists and paleontologists establish precise dating of sedimentary deposits from the Oxfordian.
Collector’s Importance and Rarity
This Cardioceras praecordatum ammonite fossil is both a visually striking and scientifically important specimen. Ammonites from the Oxfordian deposits of the United Kingdom are increasingly scarce, and well-preserved examples with strong ribbing and identifiable species traits are highly desirable.
Collectors value Cardioceras not only for its aesthetic qualities but also for its role in Jurassic stratigraphy. Each specimen offers a direct link to the rich marine ecosystems of the Oxfordian seas and represents a genuine fragment of natural history that has survived for over 160 million years.
Key Details
- Species: Cardioceras praecordatum
- Age: Middle Oxfordian, Late Jurassic (c. 163 – 160 million years old)
- Location: Woodham, United Kingdom
- Family: Cardioceratidae
- Distinctive ribbing and evolute coiling preserved
- Exact specimen shown in photos with 1 cm scale cube
- Includes Certificate of Authenticity
This rare Cardioceras praecordatum ammonite fossil from Woodham, UK is an exceptional specimen that embodies both scientific significance and natural beauty, making it a prized addition for any fossil collection.





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