VERY RARE 3D Fossil Squid Clarkeiteuthis Jurassic Coast Stonebarrow Charmouth Dorset UK

Description

Specimen Overview

Offered here is an exceptional and very rare 3D fossil squid, Clarkeiteuthis, preserved from the famous Green Ammonite Beds at Stonebarrow Cliff, near Charmouth and Lyme Regis, Dorset. Three-dimensionally preserved squid fossils from the Lower Jurassic of the UK are extraordinarily uncommon, making this specimen a highly significant and museum-grade example. The fossil has been carefully selected for its clarity, depth of preservation, and strong scientific interest. The photographs show the exact specimen you will receive, with full sizing details provided. As with all of our fossils, this specimen is 100% genuine and comes complete with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Geological Formation & Provenance

This fossil originates from Stonebarrow Cliff, one of the most important and scientifically studied locations on the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Green Ammonite Beds form part of the Lower Lias Group, deposited during the Early Jurassic, approximately 196–193 million years ago. These sediments were laid down in a calm, low-energy marine environment on a shallow continental shelf. Periodic anoxic conditions on the sea floor greatly reduced decay and scavenging, allowing exceptionally delicate organisms such as soft-bodied cephalopods to be preserved.

Fossil Type & Taxonomic Context

Clarkeiteuthis is an extinct genus of squid-like cephalopod belonging to the Class Cephalopoda, Subclass Coleoidea, and Order Teuthida. Unlike ammonites, squids lack an external shell, making their preservation in the fossil record exceptionally rare. Fossils of Clarkeiteuthis are of major scientific importance because they provide direct evidence of early squid anatomy, including mantle shape, arm arrangement, and internal structures. Specimens from the Lower Lias of Dorset are among the earliest well-documented squid fossils known.

Morphology & Three-Dimensional Preservation

This specimen preserves the squid in three-dimensional relief, rather than as a flattened impression, which is extraordinarily rare for soft-bodied cephalopods. The fossil shows clear body mass and structural definition, offering insight into the animal’s original form in life. Such preservation indicates rapid burial and early mineralisation, stabilising soft tissues before collapse. The surrounding Green Ammonite Beds matrix provides further geological authenticity and context, enhancing both scientific and display value.

Depositional Environment & Fossilisation

During the Early Jurassic, the seas covering Dorset supported a rich marine ecosystem dominated by ammonites, fish, and marine reptiles. Squid such as Clarkeiteuthis were active predators within this environment. Upon death, individuals that settled into oxygen-poor seabed conditions avoided rapid decay. Fine sediments and favourable geochemical conditions allowed soft tissues to mineralise, resulting in rare three-dimensional preservation. This mode of fossilisation is exceptionally uncommon and accounts for the rarity of specimens like this.

Scientific & Collecting Significance

Three-dimensionally preserved squid fossils from the Jurassic Coast are extremely scarce and are highly sought after by museums, researchers, and advanced private collectors. Clarkeiteuthis specimens are critical to understanding the early evolution of modern squids and coleoid cephalopods. Fossils from Stonebarrow Cliff are internationally recognised for their stratigraphic reliability and historical importance within palaeontology.

Display, Care & Authenticity

This fossil is ideal for high-end display in a private collection, institutional setting, or museum-quality cabinet. The specimen has been carefully prepared to reveal natural features, with no artificial restoration or reconstruction. You will receive the exact fossil shown, accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming its provenance and genuine nature.

A truly rare and scientifically important discovery, this 3D fossil squid Clarkeiteuthis from the Green Ammonite Beds of Stonebarrow Cliff represents an extraordinary opportunity to own a genuine soft-bodied cephalopod fossil from the Early Jurassic seas of the Jurassic Coast, Dorset, UK.