Rare Floating Crinoid Fossil Cenomanian Upper Cretaceous Hjoula Quarry Lebanon | Genuine Marine Fossil from The Fish Beds with COA

Description

Rare Floating Crinoid Fossil – Cenomanian, Upper Cretaceous, Hjoula Quarry, Lebanon

This Rare Floating Crinoid Fossil is an exceptional and naturally preserved specimen from the world-famous Hjoula Quarry, situated in the Keserwan–Jbeil Governorate of Lebanon. Dating to the Cenomanian Stage of the Upper Cretaceous Period (approximately 98 to 95 million years ago), this fossil represents a remarkable example of ancient marine life that flourished in the warm, shallow seas of the prehistoric Tethys Ocean.

Each specimen is 100% genuine and natural as found, not enhanced or altered in any way. The photo shows the actual specimen you will receive, with scale squares/cube = 1cm for size reference. Every fossil is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring its verified provenance and scientific value. This piece captures a moment frozen in time from the marine ecosystem that produced some of the most beautifully detailed fossils in the world.

Geological and Stratigraphic Context

This crinoid fossil originates from The Fish Beds of the Hjoula Quarry, one of Lebanon’s most celebrated fossil-bearing localities. The Hjoula Formation, part of the broader Cenomanian-aged Upper Cretaceous limestone sequence, is world-renowned for its exceptional preservation of marine fauna, including fish, crustaceans, cephalopods, and echinoderms.

The sediments that formed these fossil layers accumulated in calm, low-oxygen marine basins, where fine lime muds settled undisturbed over millennia. Periodic anoxic events restricted bacterial decay, resulting in near-perfect fossilisation. This process preserved even the most delicate organisms—such as crinoids—in extraordinary detail. Over time, these soft carbonate muds lithified into dense micritic limestone, encapsulating and protecting fossils within a fine-grained matrix.

These Lagerstätten-quality deposits from Hjoula and nearby Hakel are among the most scientifically valuable in the world, offering an unmatched window into marine life of the Cretaceous Tethys Ocean.

Fossil Type and Scientific Classification

• Fossil Type: Floating Crinoid (Sea Lily / Feather Star)
• Phylum: Echinodermata
• Class: Crinoidea
• Geological Stage: Cenomanian (~98–95 million years ago)
• Period: Upper Cretaceous
• Formation: Hjoula Limestone Formation (“Fish Beds”)
• Locality: Hjoula Quarry, Keserwan–Jbeil Governorate, Lebanon

Crinoids—often called “sea lilies” due to their flower-like appearance—are marine echinoderms related to starfish and sea urchins. The floating crinoid form was a remarkable evolutionary adaptation, allowing these animals to drift or swim freely within the water column rather than being anchored to the seafloor. Their elegant, radiating arms captured plankton from the surrounding water, supported by a central calyx (body) and a flexible column or stem used for buoyancy and movement.

Morphological Features and Preservation

This floating crinoid fossil exhibits exquisite morphological detail, including the delicate arms (brachials) arranged radially around the central body and, in some specimens, traces of the segmented stem structure. The intricate symmetry typical of echinoderms is beautifully preserved within the fine limestone matrix, showcasing both biological and aesthetic perfection.

The fossil’s three-dimensional preservation reveals the unique anatomy of the crinoid’s feeding appendages, with individual ossicles (calcareous plates) clearly visible under magnification. The contrast between the carbonised fossil remains and the creamy beige limestone matrix highlights the fossil’s fine structure and organic form, making it a visually captivating and scientifically significant specimen.

The floating nature of this species suggests it lived suspended in the water column, drifting through the warm, nutrient-rich seas of the Cretaceous. When these creatures died, their remains gently settled on the seabed, quickly buried by soft sediment and sealed away from decay.

Geological and Paleoenvironmental Significance

During the Cenomanian Stage, Lebanon lay along the southern margin of the Tethys Ocean, a vast tropical sea stretching between ancient Africa and Eurasia. This environment supported diverse marine ecosystems teeming with life—from fish and ammonites to crinoids and crustaceans.

The Hjoula fossil beds provide rare insight into the biodiversity and ecological structure of this marine world. The exceptional preservation of organisms like floating crinoids reflects the unique environmental conditions of the region—low oxygen levels, fine sedimentation, and limited biological disturbance.

These fossils are invaluable to paleontologists because they document the early radiation of crinoid lineages during the Late Cretaceous, a time of significant marine evolution and turnover. Specimens from the Hjoula quarries are also prized for their aesthetic quality, combining geological authenticity with natural artistry.

Collector and Display Significance

This Rare Floating Crinoid Fossil from Hjoula Quarry is a museum-quality specimen, perfect for both serious collectors and those fascinated by Earth’s ancient past. The fossil’s intricate detail, natural preservation, and historical provenance make it a striking piece for display, education, or research.

Unlike many commercial pieces that have been cleaned or restored, this fossil is 100% natural as found, ensuring its authenticity and originality. It tells a story that spans nearly 100 million years—of oceans that no longer exist and creatures that lived in harmony with their delicate marine environment.

Every specimen we provide is ethically sourced and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, guaranteeing its geological origin and scientific integrity. This Floating Crinoid Fossil from the Cenomanian Fish Beds of Hjoula, Lebanon, is a timeless relic of marine evolution—an exquisite natural wonder preserved from a world long vanished beneath the waves.