Rare Osmeroides Fossil Fish Cenomanian Upper Cretaceous Hakel Quarry Lebanon | 100% Natural Authentic Lebanese Fossil with COA

Description

Rare Osmeroides Fossil Fish – Cenomanian, Upper Cretaceous, Hakel Quarry, Lebanon

This Rare Osmeroides Fossil Fish is a superb and authentic specimen from the Cenomanian Stage of the Upper Cretaceous Period, discovered in the world-renowned Hakel Quarry, Mont-Liban, Lebanon. Dating back approximately 95 to 98 million years, this remarkable fossil represents a beautifully preserved member of an extinct genus of ray-finned fish that swam in the warm, shallow seas of the ancient Tethys Ocean.

Each piece is 100% genuine, left in its natural state as found, and supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity confirming its origin and geological age. The photo shows the actual specimen you will receive, with a 1cm scale cube included for accurate sizing. This fossil displays outstanding natural detail, including visible skeletal impressions and delicate fin structures, characteristic of the fine-grained preservation that makes Hakel fossils some of the most admired in paleontology.

Geological and Stratigraphic Context

The Hakel Formation of Mont-Liban, Lebanon, is one of the most important fossil sites in the world, celebrated for its exceptional preservation of marine organisms from the Cenomanian Stage (Upper Cretaceous). These deposits were laid down in a lagoonal to shallow marine environment, where calm, oxygen-poor bottom waters allowed for the preservation of fine skeletal and soft tissue details.

This fossil comes from the Hakel Quarry, a site that, along with the nearby Hajula and Sahel Alma localities, forms part of a fossil-rich sequence of micritic limestones. These fine-grained limestones record a time when Lebanon was positioned along the southern margin of the Tethys Ocean, hosting a warm and biodiverse marine ecosystem. Rapid burial in fine calcareous sediments prevented scavenging and decay, preserving delicate structures such as fish fins, scales, and vertebrae in exceptional clarity.

Fossil Type and Scientific Classification

• Fossil Type: Ray-finned fish (Actinopterygii)
• Genus: Osmeroides
• Order: Elopiformes
• Family: Osmeroidae (Osmeroides-type fish)
• Geological Age: Cenomanian Stage (~98–95 million years ago)
• Period: Upper Cretaceous
• Formation: Hakel Limestone Formation
• Locality: Hakel Quarry, Mont-Liban, Lebanon

The genus Osmeroides was first described in the 19th century and is known from numerous well-preserved specimens from Lebanon’s Upper Cretaceous strata. These fish belong to a group of early teleosts, an evolutionary lineage that led to many modern fish species. Osmeroides fossils are distinguished by their elongate, streamlined body, well-defined fins, and visible vertebral column, often preserved in astonishing detail within the fine limestone matrix.

Morphology and Preservation

This Osmeroides fossil fish exhibits classic morphological features that make the genus so distinctive. Its body is narrow and tapering, with fine skeletal impressions marking the vertebrae, cranial outline, and fin rays. In many specimens from Hakel, even subtle details of the scales and gill covers remain visible under magnification, offering an extraordinary glimpse into marine life of the Cretaceous seas.

The preservation medium – fine micritic limestone – acts as a natural archive, faithfully recording the shape and proportion of the fish with remarkable resolution. Fossils from this locality often show a light brown or grey contrast between the fossilised bone material and the creamy-white limestone background, creating a striking visual display. This particular specimen remains in its original, unprepared condition, just as it was discovered in situ, preserving the integrity and authenticity prized by collectors and researchers alike.

Geological and Paleontological Importance

The Hakel and Hajula formations of Lebanon are globally famous for their Lagerstätten quality preservation — fossil deposits that capture not only hard skeletal structures but also soft tissues, scales, and even pigments in rare cases. These sites have yielded an incredible diversity of fish, crustaceans, cephalopods, and early marine reptiles, representing one of the most complete pictures of life in the Late Cretaceous Tethys Sea.

The Cenomanian Stage marks a period of global warmth and marine transgression, when shallow tropical seas expanded across much of the Earth. The marine ecosystems of Lebanon at this time were populated by a range of fish species like Osmeroides, alongside Enchodus, Clupea, Palaeobalistum, and early forms of Elopidae. The remarkable preservation conditions of the Hakel region have made it one of the key fossil localities for understanding early teleost evolution and Cretaceous marine biodiversity.

Collector and Display Value

This Rare Osmeroides Fossil Fish from Hakel, Lebanon is a premium collector’s piece that encapsulates the artistry of nature and the precision of geological preservation. Its exceptional definition, historic locality, and geological age make it a significant specimen for both professional collections and private displays.

The natural, unpolished presentation highlights the fossil exactly as it appeared upon discovery, connecting the viewer directly to the moment it emerged from its limestone resting place after nearly 100 million years. Whether displayed as a centrepiece or studied as an authentic example of Cretaceous marine life, this specimen offers both scientific insight and aesthetic beauty.

Each piece is 100% genuine, ethically sourced, and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring its origin from the renowned Hakel Quarry of Lebanon — one of the world’s most famous fossil localities. This fossil is not just a collector’s item; it is a tangible piece of Earth’s ancient marine history, preserved in stone from the Upper Cretaceous seas of the Tethys Ocean.