Somerset Ammonite Fossil Jurassic Genuine British Specimen from Somerset UK with Certificate

Overview

This authentic Somerset Ammonite Fossil comes from the Jurassic deposits of Somerset, United Kingdom, one of the most famous fossil-rich regions in the world. Ammonites are among the most iconic fossils of the Mesozoic Era—spiral-shelled marine cephalopods that lived in the world’s oceans for more than 300 million years before going extinct around 66 million years ago. This specimen represents a genuine remnant of that deep geological past and has been carefully prepared to showcase its natural detail and aesthetic appeal.

Each fossil is 100% genuine, accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, and photographed to show the exact piece you will receive. The 1cm scale cube provides a clear indication of size—please see the photo for full dimensions.

Geological Context

This fossil originates from Jurassic strata in Somerset, a region globally renowned for its exceptional preservation of marine life from the early part of the Jurassic Period, approximately 200–175 million years ago. The sedimentary layers of Somerset, particularly along the Blue Lias Formation and Beacon Limestone, were deposited in a warm, shallow marine environment that once covered much of southern England.

The alternating bands of limestone and shale formed in these calm seas created the perfect conditions for the fossilisation of delicate marine organisms. Over millions of years, mineral-rich waters slowly replaced the organic material within the ammonite shell, transforming it into solid rock while preserving its intricate spiral structure.

The fossil-bearing rocks of Somerset are part of a geological sequence extending from Lyme Regis and Charmouth in Dorset through Ilminster and Yeovil, continuing inland across the Somerset Levels. These layers are well-known to palaeontologists for their abundance of ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, and marine reptiles such as ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs.

Taxonomy and Morphology

Ammonites belong to the Class Cephalopoda, Order Ammonitida, within the same broad group as modern squid and nautilus. They possessed coiled, chambered shells divided by intricate internal walls called septa, which formed beautiful suture patterns along the shell’s surface. These features allowed ammonites to regulate buoyancy as they moved through the water column.

The Somerset Ammonite displays the classic planispiral coiling, with whorls that gradually expand from the center outward. Its outer surface often shows fine ribbing and growth lines, which once strengthened the shell and may have helped in hydrodynamic stability. Some specimens also preserve sections of the venter (outer curve of the shell), providing insight into how the animal lived and moved in the Jurassic seas.

This particular fossil likely represents a species from the family Hildoceratidae or Oxynoticeratidae, groups common in the Lower Jurassic marine deposits of southwestern England. These families are characterised by their flattened shells, distinct rib patterns, and sometimes keeled outer whorls.

Scientific and Historical Significance

Ammonites are essential tools in biostratigraphy, helping geologists date and correlate rock layers worldwide. Their rapid evolution and wide distribution mean that each species existed for only a short period of geological time, making them precise indicators of the age of surrounding sediments.

The ammonite-bearing strata of Somerset correspond to the Sinemurian and Pliensbachian Stages of the Early Jurassic, roughly 190–183 million years ago. This was an era of major evolutionary radiation following the end-Triassic extinction, with marine life flourishing in the nutrient-rich shallow seas that covered much of what is now Europe.

Fossils like this Somerset ammonite preserve a moment in that ancient oceanic ecosystem, where cephalopods such as ammonites would have hunted small crustaceans and plankton, serving as both predator and prey within the Mesozoic food web.

Display and Presentation

This Somerset Ammonite Fossil is a remarkable specimen for display or study, showcasing the beauty and symmetry of natural geological processes. Its spiral form, detailed shell features, and rich historical provenance make it a perfect addition to any fossil collection, educational setting, or decorative display.

Professionally cleaned and stabilised, this piece highlights the timeless elegance of Jurassic life preserved in stone. Each fossil is unique, with natural variations in texture and colour reflecting the specific conditions under which it fossilised.

Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity, this fossil is both scientifically valuable and visually striking—a genuine relic of Britain’s Jurassic heritage, connecting you directly to the ancient seas of Somerset where life flourished nearly 200 million years ago.