Rare Scaphites obliquus Ammonite Fossil Cenomanian Sussex UK with COA

Description

This listing is for the exact genuine ammonite fossil shown in the photographs: a rare example of Scaphites obliquus from the Lower Chalk of Balcombe Pit, Sussex, United Kingdom. It dates from the Lower Cenomanian stage of the Late Cretaceous Period, placing it within an interval approximately 100.5 to 93.9 million years ago. The specimen is supplied with our lifetime Certificate of Authenticity, giving you a permanent record of its identification and geological origin.

Scaphites is a distinctive heteromorph ammonite. Unlike the familiar tightly coiled form seen in many ammonites, the shell grew through a more unusual sequence. The younger part was coiled, while the later body chamber became partly uncoiled and then curved back towards the earlier whorls. This specialised shape makes scaphitid ammonites instantly recognisable and particularly appealing to collectors who enjoy unusual Cretaceous cephalopods. Scaphites obliquus is a sought-after British species, and material with a reliable Sussex locality is a pleasing addition to a systematic ammonite collection.

During the Cenomanian, southern Britain was covered by a warm, shallow sea. Fine carbonate mud accumulated on the seabed and ultimately formed the chalk deposits for which this interval is famous. Ammonites were active marine molluscs related to living squid, cuttlefish and nautiluses. Their rapidly changing forms and broad geographic distribution make them extremely useful index fossils, helping geologists compare and date marine rock layers. This fossil therefore represents both an individual animal and a useful piece of the geological history of the Cretaceous seas.

Please study every photograph carefully, as they form an important part of the description. You will receive the exact specimen pictured, not a substitute or a stock example. The fossil retains natural character associated with preservation in chalk, including the surface texture, matrix, colour variations and any minor imperfections visible in the images. These are normal features of a genuine geological specimen and should not be mistaken for damage. Scale and proportions are best judged from the photographs and any visible measuring reference.

This specimen would suit an ammonite specialist, a collector of British fossils, someone building a representative Cretaceous collection, or anyone interested in the natural history of Sussex. It is also an engaging educational piece because its unusual shell form provides a clear contrast with normally coiled ammonites. Display it in a cabinet, use it for comparative study, or give it as a thoughtful gift to a fossil enthusiast.

The fossil will be packed carefully for dispatch. The accompanying Certificate of Authenticity records the identification as Scaphites obliquus, the Lower Cenomanian age, and the Balcombe Pit, Sussex locality. As with all natural fossils, the specimen should be handled with care and kept in a stable, dry display environment. This is a genuine natural fossil with scientific, historical and decorative interest.