RARE Eugassiceras sauzeanum Ammonite Fossil Sinemurian Jurassic Redcar Yorkshire UK

Description

Exceptional Rare Eugassiceras sauzeanum Ammonite Fossil

This listing offers a rare Eugassiceras sauzeanum ammonite fossil, originating from the Sinemurian stage of the Early Jurassic period, and collected at Red Howles, Marske, near Redcar in Yorkshire, United Kingdom. Specimens of this type are highly prized due to their limited occurrence and excellent preservation in the Lower Jurassic strata of the Yorkshire coast. The photos show the exact specimen you will receive, with a 1 cm scale cube included for reference. Every fossil is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming it as a genuine specimen.

Geological Context

• Period: Jurassic
• Stage: Sinemurian (approx. 199–190 million years ago)
• Location: Red Howles, Marske, Redcar, Yorkshire, UK
• Depositional Environment: Shallow marine shelf deposits within the Cleveland Basin

During the Sinemurian, much of what is now North Yorkshire was covered by a shallow sea, forming part of the extensive Jurassic marine basins. Fine-grained sediments within the Cleveland Basin provided excellent conditions for fossilisation, preserving marine fauna in exquisite detail. Ammonites such as Eugassiceras sauzeanum thrived in these ancient seas, serving as both predators and prey in a dynamic marine ecosystem dominated by cephalopods, bivalves, and early marine reptiles.

Taxonomic Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Mollusca
• Class: Cephalopoda
• Order: Ammonitida
• Superfamily: Eoderoceratoidea
• Family: Eoderoceratidae
• Genus: Eugassiceras
• Species: Eugassiceras sauzeanum

This ammonite is an excellent example of the genus, belonging to a family well-regarded for its early Jurassic diversity.

Morphological Features

This specimen of Eugassiceras sauzeanum exhibits:

• A moderately involute shell, with inner whorls partly concealed by later growth.
• Well-defined ribbing that extends across the flanks and onto the venter, a key identification feature of this species.
• Growth lines that demonstrate the progressive expansion of the whorls.
• A coiled planispiral shape typical of most ammonites, allowing for both buoyancy control and efficient locomotion in open water.

The shell morphology suggests it was an active swimmer, using jet propulsion like modern cephalopods, while its ribs and strong structure may have provided hydrodynamic efficiency in the Jurassic seas.

Scientific and Collecting Importance

Ammonites such as Eugassiceras sauzeanum are considered index fossils, meaning they are invaluable in dating and correlating Jurassic rock layers. Their restricted time range in the Sinemurian makes them crucial markers in the biostratigraphy of northern European Jurassic deposits. For collectors, this species is particularly desirable due to its rarity in well-preserved form and its association with the famous Redcar and Cleveland fossil beds.

This fossil offers not only aesthetic beauty but also scientific value, providing a direct link to the biodiversity and evolutionary history of the Early Jurassic seas. Its rarity enhances its significance as a collector’s item, making it a standout piece in any fossil collection.

Key Details

• Fossil Type: Ammonite (Eugassiceras sauzeanum)
• Age: Sinemurian, Early Jurassic (~199–190 million years old)
• Provenance: Red Howles, Marske, Redcar, Yorkshire, UK
• Features: Ribbed shell, planispiral whorls, excellent preservation
• Authenticity: Guaranteed genuine, with Certificate of Authenticity

Authenticity and Presentation

All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens, carefully chosen for quality and clarity. This ammonite fossil has been preserved in excellent detail, showing diagnostic features essential for identification. The accompanying Certificate of Authenticity ensures full confidence in its provenance and integrity.

This rare Eugassiceras sauzeanum ammonite from Redcar, Yorkshire represents a unique opportunity to own a scientifically significant and visually striking fossil from Britain’s Jurassic heritage. It is a fascinating piece for collectors, students of geology, and anyone captivated by the history of life on Earth.