RARE Ichthyosaur Jaw Teeth Fossil Jurassic Lyme Regis Dorset UK Lower Lias Black Ven

Description

Rare Ichthyosaur Jaw Section with Teeth from the Jurassic Coast

Offered here is a rare Ichthyosaur jaw section with preserved teeth, a genuine fossil marine reptile bone recovered from the famous Black Ven Marls, Black Ven, Charmouth, Lyme Regis, Dorset, on England’s world-renowned Jurassic Coast. Jaw material with teeth intact is among the most sought-after ichthyosaur fossils due to its anatomical clarity and rarity. The photographs show the exact specimen you will receive, carefully selected for scientific integrity and display quality. Full sizing details are shown in the photos.

This fossil is supplied with a fully hand-signed Premium Certificate of Authenticity, providing the highest level of assurance in provenance and long-term collectability.

Geological Formation and Age

This specimen originates from the Lower Lias Group, deposited during the Early Jurassic Period, approximately 199–191 million years ago, within the Sinemurian Stage. The Black Ven Marls consist of fine-grained marine mudstones and marls laid down in a shallow epicontinental sea that once covered southern Britain. This formation is internationally recognised for producing some of the world’s most important marine reptile fossils and has been central to the development of palaeontology since the early 19th century.

Fossil Type and Species Context

Ichthyosaurs were highly specialised marine reptiles belonging to the Order Ichthyosauria, occupying the role of apex pursuit predators in Jurassic seas. With streamlined bodies, powerful tails, and elongated jaws armed with sharp conical teeth, they were superbly adapted for hunting fish and cephalopods. Fossil jaw sections with teeth preserved provide direct insight into feeding strategy, tooth implantation, and skull construction, making them particularly valuable to collectors and researchers.

Morphology and Notable Features

This specimen preserves a section of the jaw with in situ teeth, allowing the spacing, orientation, and shape of the teeth to be clearly observed. Ichthyosaur teeth are typically slender, pointed, and robust, designed for gripping slippery prey rather than slicing. The bone shows natural mineralisation consistent with long-term burial in marine sediments, while the teeth retain strong definition and anatomical accuracy. The three-dimensional preservation enhances both scientific value and visual impact.

Depositional Environment

During the Early Jurassic, the Black Ven and Charmouth region lay beneath a warm, shallow sea rich in ammonites, belemnites, fish, and marine reptiles. Fine sediments settled slowly on the sea floor, allowing skeletal elements to be rapidly buried following death. Periodic low-oxygen conditions reduced scavenging and decay, enabling rare elements such as articulated jaws with teeth to be preserved. These conditions are responsible for the exceptional quality of ichthyosaur material recovered from the Black Ven Marls.

Rarity and Collecting Significance

Jaw material with teeth is significantly rarer than isolated vertebrae or limb bones and represents a key anatomical component of the animal. Specimens of this nature are highly sought after by serious collectors, museums, and educational institutions, particularly those with clear provenance from Lyme Regis, one of the most historically important fossil localities in the world. The inclusion of a hand-signed Premium Certificate of Authenticity further elevates this specimen as a top-tier collectible.

Display, Study, and Investment Value

This rare Ichthyosaur jaw section with teeth fossil is ideal for museum-grade collections, advanced educational displays, or high-impact private presentation. Its anatomical clarity, classic British Jurassic provenance, and rarity make it both scientifically informative and visually compelling. Fossils of this calibre from the Jurassic Coast are increasingly scarce, and each specimen we offer is individually chosen to ensure you receive an authentic, premium-quality piece of Early Jurassic marine reptile history from one of the world’s most important fossil sites.