RARE Mantelliceras gentoni British Chalk Ammonite Fossil – Lower Cenomanian Cretaceous Graffham UK – Certified Authentic Specimen

Description

This is a rare and scientifically significant specimen of Mantelliceras gentoni, a beautifully preserved ammonite fossil from the Lower Cenomanian Stage of the Upper Cretaceous, found in the British Chalk Formation at Graffham, West Sussex, United Kingdom.

The specimen comes from the well-documented and highly regarded Alice Purnell Collection, known for its integrity, scientific value, and precise locality data. The fossil shown in the photo is the exact piece you will receive.

Scale rule squares = 1cm. Full dimensions can be seen in the accompanying photo.

Fossil Type and Classification:

• Species: Mantelliceras gentoni
• Type: Planispiral ammonite
• Order: Ammonitida
• Superfamily: Acanthoceratoidea
• Family: Acanthoceratidae
• Subfamily: Mantelliceratinae
• Genus: Mantelliceras

Geological and Depositional Context:

• Geological Period: Late Cretaceous
• Stage: Lower Cenomanian (approx. 100.5 to 93.9 million years ago)
• Formation: Lower Chalk
• Depositional Environment: Shallow epicontinental marine sea rich in carbonate mud; low-energy conditions ideal for fossil preservation
• Locality: Graffham, West Sussex, United Kingdom

Morphology and Notable Features:

This specimen of Mantelliceras gentoni exhibits a moderately evolute, compressed whorl with strong ribbing and fine tuberculation. The prominent ornamentation and spiral symmetry are typical of the genus and provide key identification characteristics. The suture lines are intricately lobed, reflecting its evolutionary complexity.

Mantelliceras is regarded as one of the earliest acanthoceratid ammonites and is important for regional biostratigraphy. It is often used to correlate Lower Cenomanian sequences across Europe.

Scientific and Collector Importance:

Mantelliceras gentoni is a zone fossil for the Lower Cenomanian and is frequently used in establishing chronostratigraphic frameworks. Specimens from the British Chalk are increasingly hard to source due to limited exposure and collecting restrictions. This specimen represents both an aesthetic and scientifically valuable example of early Late Cretaceous ammonites.

Provenance and Authenticity:

This fossil comes from the Alice Purnell Collection, known for high-quality, ethically collected UK specimens. The fossil is guaranteed to be 100% genuine and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

We never sell casts or reproductions — only authentic fossils carefully prepared and described.