Description
Rare Hoplites dentatus Fossil Ammonite from Folkestone
This listing offers a rare Hoplites dentatus fossil ammonite recovered from the Gault Clay Formation at Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom. Belonging to the Aptian stage of the Early Cretaceous Period (approximately 125–113 million years ago), this ammonite represents an exceptional example of a species that played an important role in defining key biostratigraphic horizons of the Lower Cretaceous. Fossils from the Folkestone Gault are world-renowned, and Hoplites specimens such as this are particularly prized due to their rarity, aesthetic preservation, and scientific value.
As with all our fossils, this piece is 100% genuine, supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity, and is the exact specimen pictured. Scale cube and rule squares shown are 1 cm for accurate sizing reference.
Geological and Palaeoenvironmental Background
The Gault Clay Formation is a celebrated Lower Cretaceous unit consisting of marine clays deposited in a relatively shallow epicontinental sea that once covered much of southern England. This marine setting, influenced by sediment influx from nearby landmasses, created ideal conditions for the preservation of ammonites and associated marine fauna.
The Aptian seas supported a rich ecosystem, with ammonites like Hoplites dentatus occupying a central role in the food chain. Their shells, preserved in clay and later exposed through natural erosion, allow palaeontologists to establish highly accurate biozonations for the Aptian stage. Hoplites dentatus, in particular, is one of the species most characteristic of the middle Aptian Hoplites dentatus Zone.
Morphology and Distinctive Features
Hoplites dentatus belongs to the family Hoplitidae within the order Ammonitida. Its shell is generally involute and compressed, with sharply defined ribbing. These ribs bifurcate on the flanks and continue strongly across the venter, often displaying tubercles at rib intersections. The ornamentation gives the fossil a strikingly sculptural quality, making it both scientifically diagnostic and visually impressive for collectors.
The sutures are complex and well-developed, characteristic of ammonites in this family. The robust ribbing and overall form highlight its adaptation to an active nektonic lifestyle in the warm Aptian seas, possibly providing strength to the shell against both hydrostatic pressure and predation.
Scientific Importance
Hoplites dentatus is a species of critical importance in biostratigraphy, serving as a key index fossil for the Aptian stage. Its presence in the Gault Clay has long been used by geologists to subdivide the stratigraphy of the Lower Cretaceous, and it continues to be cited in modern stratigraphic frameworks.
The rarity of well-preserved specimens makes this fossil particularly desirable. Not only does it document an important evolutionary stage in ammonite history, but it also reflects the diversity of marine ecosystems during the mid-Cretaceous greenhouse interval.
Collectability and Display
This ammonite is a premium collector specimen from one of Britain’s most famous fossil localities. With its sharp ribbing and textbook preservation, it is an eye-catching display fossil that will enrich any collection. Its provenance from Folkestone adds historical and geographical value, as this site has been a source of scientifically important fossils since the 19th century.
Whether for a museum, educational institution, or private collector, this Hoplites dentatus ammonite fossil is a rare and highly desirable piece, ideal for both study and display.
Key Details
- Species: Hoplites dentatus
- Age: Aptian stage, Early Cretaceous (approx. 125–113 million years ago)
- Formation: Gault Clay Formation
- Locality: Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom
- Family: Hoplitidae, Order: Ammonitida
- Features: Involute shell, bifurcating ribs, strong tuberculation
- Supplied with Certificate of Authenticity
- Exact specimen shown in photographs (no stock images)
- Scale cube and rule squares = 1 cm
This rare Hoplites dentatus ammonite fossil is a scientifically significant, beautifully preserved, and collectible specimen from the world-famous Folkestone Gault Clay.
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