Rare Euhoplites lautus Fossil Ammonite Gault Clay Aptian Cretaceous Folkestone Kent United Kingdom with COA

Description

Rare Euhoplites lautus Fossil Ammonite from Folkestone

This listing features a rare Euhoplites lautus fossil ammonite, recovered from the world-renowned Gault Clay Formation at Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom. Dating to the Aptian Stage of the Lower Cretaceous Period (approximately 120–113 million years ago), this specimen represents one of the classic ammonites of the English coast and is highly valued by both collectors and researchers for its distinctive features and stratigraphic importance.

Every fossil we provide is a 100% genuine specimen and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. The photographs show the actual fossil you will receive, with a 1cm scale cube and rule squares included to confirm accurate sizing.

Geological Age and Provenance

The ammonite was found in the Gault Clay Formation, a deposit famous for its rich assemblage of marine fossils. The clays were laid down in a shallow marine environment during the Aptian Stage of the Early Cretaceous, when rising sea levels created broad epicontinental seas across Europe.

The Folkestone coast has long been one of Britain’s most celebrated fossil collecting sites, with a history of study stretching back to the 19th century. Fossils from this locality are internationally recognised for their quality, and ammonites such as Euhoplites lautus are of particular scientific interest due to their role in biostratigraphy.

Fossil Type and Scientific Classification

• Genus: Euhoplites
• Species: Euhoplites lautus
• Order: Ammonitida
• Superfamily: Hoplitoidea
• Family: Hoplitidae

Euhoplites lautus is a stratigraphically significant ammonite species used as an index fossil for correlating Aptian-aged deposits. Its distinct morphological features make it an important taxon in defining and recognising specific ammonite biozones.

Morphological Features

This ammonite is easily identified by its robust ornamentation and well-defined shell features, including:

• Evolute Shell Coiling: The whorls are clearly exposed, giving the shell a broad, open appearance.
• Strong Ribbing: Prominent ribs extend across the flanks, often branching or bifurcating as they approach the keel.
• Tubercles: Rows of tubercles or nodes typically occur along the ribs and ventral margins, adding to the ammonite’s striking texture.
• Narrow Keel: Running along the venter, the keel is a defining feature of the genus and assists in hydrodynamic efficiency.

These features not only make Euhoplites lautus a visually impressive fossil but also serve as key identifiers for palaeontologists.

Scientific and Collector Importance

Euhoplites lautus is a key ammonite for defining biozones within the Aptian Stage. Its widespread distribution and easily recognisable features make it invaluable for correlating rock layers across different regions of Europe. This makes the species central to both geological mapping and evolutionary studies of Cretaceous ammonites.

For collectors, the rarity of Euhoplites lautus specimens from Folkestone makes them especially desirable. With the passage of time, natural erosion and increasing collecting pressure have made high-quality examples increasingly difficult to obtain.

Display and Educational Value

This fossil has been carefully chosen for its diagnostic features and preservation, making it suitable for private collections, educational use, and museum display. Its ribbing, tubercles, and shell form demonstrate the striking natural beauty of ammonites while providing a tangible connection to Britain’s Cretaceous heritage.

Whether displayed in a fossil cabinet or studied as part of geological research, this rare Euhoplites lautus ammonite from Folkestone represents a unique and scientifically significant specimen, preserving the history of Earth’s ancient seas and the evolutionary story of ammonites during the Early Cretaceous.