Ammonite Fossils
The fossils of an extinct group of shelled cephalopod molluscs, ammonites are a common find in the rock strata of the Mesozoic era (225-65 million years ago). The name ‘ammonite’ derives from the fossil’s resemblance to the elaborate horn of Jupiter Ammon. Indeed, this characteristically coiled spiral shell served as a floatation device, with the lines upon it serving as an indication of the fossil’s age. The increasing intricacy of these dividing lines corresponds to the evolution of the group, with this expansive timeline reflected by the variety of our own collection.