Rare Fossil Ammonite Diploceras fredericksburgensis Genuine Cretaceous Aptian UK

Description

Rare Fossil Ammonite – Diploceras fredericksburgensis

This listing offers a rare and scientifically significant Fossil Ammonite of the species Diploceras fredericksburgensis, originating from the Aptian stage of the Early Cretaceous Period, collected from the Gault Clay deposits at Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom. At approximately 125–113 million years old, this ammonite represents a fascinating example of Cretaceous marine life from one of Britain’s most renowned fossil localities. Carefully chosen for its preservation, this specimen is a valuable addition for collectors and enthusiasts of natural history alike.

The Species – Diploceras fredericksburgensis

Diploceras fredericksburgensis belongs to the Order Ammonitida, Superfamily Desmoceratoidea, and Family Parahoplitidae. Members of this group are known for their robust shells with strong ribbing and ornamentation, features that made them effective swimmers and adapted to dynamic marine environments. The species fredericksburgensis is particularly rare in the British fossil record and is more commonly associated with Lower Cretaceous marine sequences across Europe and North America. Its presence in the Folkestone Gault Clay makes it a prized specimen, linking British fossil deposits with wider global ammonite faunas of the Aptian stage.

Geological Context – Aptian Stage, Cretaceous Period

The Aptian stage, dated to around 125–113 million years ago, marks a critical point in Earth’s history, with significant evolutionary diversification among ammonites. The Gault Clay at Folkestone, Kent, is one of the most famous Aptian–Albian fossil-bearing deposits in the world. This marine clay formation was laid down in a shallow sea that covered large parts of southern England during the Early Cretaceous. Fine-grained sediments in this environment captured and preserved a diverse array of marine fossils, including ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, gastropods, and occasional vertebrate remains.

Morphological Features of the Fossil

This Diploceras fredericksburgensis fossil displays the distinctive features of the genus:

• Planispiral shell coiling, tightly wound in a symmetrical spiral.
• Strong, ribbed ornamentation across the whorls, providing a bold texture.
• Prominent tuberculation along rib intersections, a diagnostic trait of this species.
• Robust shell form, well-suited for survival in dynamic marine environments.
• Suture patterns visible in areas, revealing the intricate chamber divisions typical of ammonites.

The fossil is presented with a 1 cm scale cube in the photographs for precise size reference. The specimen shown is the exact piece you will receive, selected for its scientific and collector value.

Scientific Importance

Ammonites such as Diploceras fredericksburgensis are critical for biostratigraphy, serving as index fossils that allow geologists to date and correlate Aptian-aged sediments across different regions. Their rapid evolution and widespread distribution provide important tools for refining the geological timescale. The occurrence of this species in the Gault Clay demonstrates the broad paleogeographic connections of ammonite faunas during the Early Cretaceous, linking British deposits with equivalent stages across Europe and North America.

Provenance and Authenticity

• Species: Diploceras fredericksburgensis
• Age: Aptian, Early Cretaceous (~125–113 million years old)
• Locality: Gault Clay, Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom
• Family: Parahoplitidae
• Superfamily: Desmoceratoidea
• Order: Ammonitida

All of our fossils are guaranteed 100% genuine specimens and are accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring confidence in both authenticity and provenance.

Why This Fossil is Exceptional

• A rare ammonite species from the Gault Clay deposits of Folkestone.
• Represents the important Aptian stage of the Early Cretaceous.
• Distinctive ribbing and tuberculation, making it highly recognisable.
• Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity, guaranteeing authenticity.

This Diploceras fredericksburgensis ammonite fossil is a rare and exceptional specimen, combining scientific importance, geological history, and natural beauty. It makes a superb addition to any serious fossil collection or natural history display.