RARE Fossil Ammonite Vascoceras venezolanum with Gastropod – Turonian, Cretaceous – Morocco – Certified – Alice Purnell Collection

Description

RARE FOSSIL AMMONITE – Vascoceras venezolanum

With Small Gastropod Shell Inclusion

Turonian Stage | Upper Cretaceous (~93.9–89.8 million years ago)

Morocco, North Africa

This is a rare and striking fossil pairing featuring a well-preserved ammonite of the species Vascoceras venezolanum, accompanied by a small gastropod shell — a classic example of fossilised marine life from the Turonian Stage of the Late Cretaceous, sourced from a fossil-rich region of Morocco.

From the prestigious Alice Purnell Collection, this specimen has been carefully curated and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. The fossil pictured is the exact piece you will receive. A 1cm scale cube is shown in the images — please refer to photos for full sizing details.

GEOLOGICAL & TAXONOMIC DETAILS:

• Species: Vascoceras venezolanum
• Geological Period: Cretaceous
• Stage: Upper Turonian (~93.9–89.8 Ma)
• Locality: Morocco
• Depositional Environment: Shallow, warm marine platform — likely a low-energy carbonate shelf or inner ramp setting rich in benthic and nektonic fauna
• Biozone (if applicable): Turonian Vascoceras zone (used in North African/Mediterranean biostratigraphy)
• Order: Ammonitida
• Superfamily: Acanthoceratoidea
• Family: Vascoceratidae
• Phylum: Mollusca
• Class: Cephalopoda

MORPHOLOGY & FEATURES:

Vascoceras venezolanum is a moderately large, evolute ammonite characterised by:

• Rounded, compressed whorls with strong ribbing
• Distinct tubercles or nodes along the flanks, especially in early growth stages
• Shallow to moderate umbilicus
• Ornamentation that is both diagnostic and aesthetically striking
• Accompanied in this specimen by a small, coiled gastropod shell nestled among the ammonite’s whorls — providing paleoecological context

NOTABLE & COLLECTOR VALUE:

• Vascoceras species are biostratigraphically important markers for the Turonian in Africa and South America.
• Specimens like this are valuable for demonstrating Cretaceous ammonite diversity and ecological associations.
• The presence of a gastropod adds educational and display appeal, making this fossil both a scientific and aesthetic highlight.

SPECIMEN HIGHLIGHTS:

• Species: Vascoceras venezolanum
• Age: Turonian, Late Cretaceous
• Origin: Morocco
• Accompanying Fossil: Small fossil gastropod
• Preservation: Excellent detail and contrast
• Provenance: From the Alice Purnell Collection
• Certification: Certificate of Authenticity included
• Scale Reference: 1cm cube shown in photos

This is a fantastic display and collector fossil — an authentic, scientifically significant, and beautiful ammonite and gastropod association from the ancient Cretaceous seas of North Africa.