Description
This listing is for a genuine Thomelites ammonite fossil, dating from the Turonian stage of the Late Cretaceous, approximately 90–93 million years ago. Collected from the renowned fossil beds near Rochefort, France, this specimen offers both scientific significance and natural beauty, representing one of the elegant ammonite forms that thrived in Europe’s warm shallow seas during the Cretaceous Period.
Every fossil we provide is 100% genuine and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. The photographs display the exact specimen you will receive, with a 1 cm scale cube and rule squares included for accurate size reference. Please consult the photos for precise sizing information.
Geological Context and Age
This ammonite comes from deposits laid down in the Turonian stage of the Late Cretaceous. During this interval, high global sea levels covered much of Europe, creating shallow epicontinental seas rich in marine life. The area around Rochefort in western France was part of this marine environment, with fine sediment deposition that helped preserve ammonites and other marine organisms in exceptional detail.
The Turonian is a key stage for palaeontologists because it records the recovery and diversification of marine ecosystems following earlier environmental shifts. Ammonites such as Thomelites provide important data for biostratigraphy, helping scientists to date and correlate Cretaceous rock layers across Europe and beyond.
Morphology and Distinctive Features
Thomelites ammonites are known for their elegant, involute shells, with coiling that conceals earlier whorls. Their shells typically display well-defined ribbing and ornamentation, making them both visually striking and diagnostically important. The rib patterns often radiate strongly across the flanks of the shell, adding to their aesthetic appeal.
The form of the shell suggests a highly adapted nektonic lifestyle, with these ammonites actively swimming in the open water column. Their buoyancy and streamlined shells would have enabled them to move efficiently while pursuing prey such as small fish and crustaceans. Fossils like this provide insight into the ecology of the Cretaceous seas and the evolutionary success of ammonites as predators.
Scientific Classification and Importance
The genus Thomelites is part of the family Acanthoceratidae, within the superfamily Acanthoceratoidea of the order Ammonitida. This group of ammonites is especially important in Turonian stratigraphy, as their relatively rapid evolutionary turnover makes them useful for identifying specific horizons and biozones.
The fossil record of Thomelites contributes to our understanding of ammonite diversity during the Turonian and highlights their role as index fossils. Their presence in Rochefort and other European localities helps define and refine the geological timescale of the Late Cretaceous.
Collector and Display Value
This Thomelites ammonite fossil from Rochefort is both scientifically significant and visually impressive, making it a desirable specimen for collectors, educators, and enthusiasts of natural history. Its striking ribbing, well-preserved structure, and precise provenance from France’s classic Turonian deposits ensure it will stand out in any collection.
Due to their role as biostratigraphic markers and their distinctive morphology, Thomelites ammonites are increasingly sought after by serious fossil collectors. Their rarity and geological importance make them exceptional specimens for display, research, or as part of a curated fossil collection.
Your Guarantee of Authenticity
- 100% genuine Thomelites ammonite fossil from Rochefort, France
- Geological age: Turonian stage, Late Cretaceous (approx. 90–93 million years old)
- Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity
- Exact specimen shown in photographs (no stock images used)
- Scale cube and rule squares = 1 cm (see images for accurate sizing)
This Thomelites ammonite fossil is an exceptional specimen from France’s world-renowned Cretaceous deposits. With its scientific importance, historical value, and striking natural beauty, it represents a unique opportunity to own a piece of Earth’s deep marine history.
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