Description
Genuine Cretaceous Shark Tooth Fossil from Folkestone’s Famous Gault Clay
Offered here is a genuine Archaeolamna kopingensis fossil shark tooth, preserved within the renowned Gault Clay Formation of Folkestone, Kent, England. The Gault Clay is one of Britain’s most important marine fossil deposits, celebrated worldwide for producing exceptionally preserved Cretaceous fossils, including sharks, rays, ammonites, and marine reptiles.
This is a carefully chosen collector’s specimen, and the photograph in the listing shows the exact fossil you will receive. Full sizing details are provided in the images.
Every purchase includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, confirming this fossil as a genuine prehistoric specimen.
Fossil Species – Archaeolamna kopingensis
Archaeolamna kopingensis is an extinct species of mackerel shark from the order Lamniformes, an ancient lineage that includes many of today’s most formidable open-ocean predators. This species lived during the Early Cretaceous seas and is known primarily from its distinctive fossil teeth.
Archaeolamna teeth are prized for their elegant form and sharp predatory design. Notable morphological features typically include:
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A triangular crown with strong cutting capability
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Smooth enamel surface with excellent fossil preservation
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Well-defined root structure for secure jaw attachment
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Adaptation for grasping and slicing marine prey
These teeth represent a direct trace of a shark that once hunted in the warm prehistoric seas covering southern Britain over 100 million years ago.
Geological Setting – The Gault Clay Formation (Albian Stage, Early Cretaceous)
The Gault Clay dates to the Albian Stage of the Early Cretaceous, approximately 100–110 million years ago. During this time, the area now known as Kent lay beneath a shallow, tropical marine shelf sea rich in life.
Fine clay sediments settled slowly on the seabed, creating ideal conditions for fossilisation. Fossils from this deposit are often exceptionally detailed, making Folkestone one of Europe’s most important Cretaceous fossil sites.
Common associated fossils from the Gault Clay include:
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Shark and ray teeth
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Ammonites used for biostratigraphic zoning
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Marine molluscs and crustaceans
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Fish remains and occasional reptile material
This gives each specimen both scientific and collectible importance.
Depositional Environment & Fossil Preservation
Archaeolamna teeth fossilised after being naturally shed during the shark’s lifetime. The tooth became buried in soft marine clay on the sea floor, protected from erosion. Over millions of years, mineral-rich groundwater replaced the original biological material, preserving the tooth as a permanent fossil.
The low-energy depositional environment of the Gault Clay allows fossils to retain crisp details, including crown edges and enamel texture, making these shark teeth highly desirable among collectors.
Ideal for Collectors, Displays, and Education
This genuine Archaeolamna kopingensis tooth is perfect for:
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Fossil shark tooth collections
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British Cretaceous marine fossil displays
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Educational teaching specimens for geology or palaeontology
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Unique gifts for natural history enthusiasts
Fossils from Folkestone carry a strong reputation due to the locality’s historic importance and exceptional preservation quality.
Authenticity & Buyer Confidence
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Genuine Archaeolamna kopingensis fossil shark tooth
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Early Cretaceous, Gault Clay Formation
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Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom
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Includes Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee card
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Photo shows the exact specimen you will receive
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Carefully selected collectible fossil piece
Add a real piece of Britain’s prehistoric marine world to your collection with this striking Archaeolamna kopingensis shark tooth fossil from the legendary Gault Clay of Folkestone.







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