Scarburgiceras scarburgense Fossil Ammonite Lower Oxfordian Jurassic Peterborough UK

Description

Authentic Scarburgiceras scarburgense Fossil Ammonite

This listing is for a stunning Scarburgiceras scarburgense fossil ammonite, originating from the Lower Oxfordian Stage of the Jurassic Period. It was discovered near Peterborough, United Kingdom, a classic and historically important fossil locality that has produced some of the finest Jurassic marine specimens in Britain. This ammonite is an excellent representation of its species, showing the characteristic ribbing and form that make it so desirable among collectors and enthusiasts.

Every fossil we offer is guaranteed to be 100% authentic and comes complete with a Certificate of Authenticity. The images provided display the actual specimen you will receive, photographed with a scale cube (1 cm per square) to show accurate size and detail.

Geological Age and Origin

The specimen dates to the Lower Oxfordian Stage of the Late Jurassic, approximately 163–161 million years ago. At this time, the region around Peterborough was covered by shallow, warm seas, forming part of a wide marine shelf environment. These seas were rich with ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, and marine reptiles, all preserved within fine-grained marine sediments that later solidified into limestone and clay.

The Oxfordian stage marks the beginning of the Upper Jurassic and is crucial for understanding the evolutionary transitions of ammonites and other marine life. Fossils from Peterborough provide valuable insights into palaeobiogeography and Jurassic marine ecosystems.

Scientific Classification

• Species: Scarburgiceras scarburgense
• Genus: Scarburgiceras
• Family: Cardioceratidae
• Superfamily: Stephanoceratoidea
• Order: Ammonitida
• Class: Cephalopoda
• Age: Lower Oxfordian, Late Jurassic (~163–161 million years ago)
• Locality: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

Morphological Features

The Scarburgiceras scarburgense ammonite is recognised for its distinctive ribbed and somewhat compressed whorls. The ribs are generally strong and radiate outward across the shell, sometimes bifurcating towards the outer whorl, giving the fossil an elegant yet rugged appearance. The evolute coiling, with visible earlier whorls, is typical of this genus, and the preserved keel along the venter adds to its striking visual appeal.

These features are not only aesthetically attractive but also serve as key diagnostic traits, allowing palaeontologists to identify the species accurately. Ammonites like Scarburgiceras are particularly important in Jurassic biostratigraphy, acting as index fossils that allow geologists to date and correlate rock layers across Europe.

Paleoenvironment and Preservation

During the Oxfordian seas of what is now Peterborough, conditions were ideal for the preservation of ammonites. The fine marine sediments, often deposited in relatively low-energy environments, rapidly buried shells, protecting them from scavengers and erosion. This process has resulted in specimens with intricate details preserved, such as ribbing, sutures, and shell ornamentation.

Scarburgiceras ammonites would have lived as active predators, hunting small fish, crustaceans, and plankton. Like other cephalopods, they used jet propulsion for movement and maintained buoyancy through the gas-filled chambers of their shells. Their role in the Jurassic marine ecosystem was essential, both as predators and as prey for larger marine reptiles such as ichthyosaurs and pliosaurs.

Collectability and Value

This Scarburgiceras scarburgense fossil ammonite from Peterborough is a highly collectable piece, prized for its scientific relevance, rarity, and display quality. With its well-defined ribbing, attractive form, and clear provenance from one of the UK’s most significant Jurassic localities, it represents a superb addition to any fossil collection.

• Type: Fossil Ammonite – Scarburgiceras scarburgense
• Age: Lower Oxfordian, Jurassic (~163–161 million years ago)
• Origin: Peterborough, United Kingdom
• Scale: Rule cube = 1 cm (see photos for full sizing)
• Authenticity: Guaranteed genuine with Certificate of Authenticity
• Specimen Shown: The actual fossil pictured is the one you will receive

This is a unique opportunity to own a classic ammonite from the famous Oxfordian deposits of Peterborough, a fossil over 160 million years old that beautifully captures the ancient marine life of the Jurassic seas.