Large Titanite Ammonite

£1,500.00

A very large, unpolished Ammonite fossil, displaying the classic spiral shell, formed as the ammonite grew. The fossil is around 150 million years old, from the Tithonian Age, which is the last age of the Jurassic Era. The Ammonite was found in Southern England, in Dorset’s Portland Bill. There are some earthly encrustations and chips on the shell’s exterior.

This specimen is part of the Titanites genus of ammonites, which were fast moving aquatic carnivores. They were notable for their large size, although other types of ammonites – namely the Parapuzosia genus – would have been greater in size. Estimates for the largest ammonite range between 2.5 and 3.5 metres in shell diameter.

 

Date: Around 150 million years old
Provenance: From a Surrey gentleman's collection (DG), purchased on the London Art Market from an ADA member, formed 1990's onward.
Condition: Fine condition.

SOLD

SKU: AF-64 Category: Tags: , ,

Ammonites are part of the cephalopod family, along with Nautiloids and Coleoids (which include squid and octopuses). Although Ammonites look similar to Nautiloids, both species inhabit a coiled shell, they are actually believed to be more closely related to Coleoids. Ammonites were born with one tiny shell and built new chambers as they grew. They would have moved into the new chamber, sealing off the older, smaller chambers, these chambers were also filled with gas, allowing the ammonite to control its buoyancy.

Ammonites first appeared around 450 million years ago, during the Paleozoic Era, and became extinct around 66 million years ago, at the end of the Cretaceous period. Ammonites became extinct at the same time as the dinosaurs, in a mass extinction believed to have been caused by an asteroid collision.

Weight 10000 g
Dimensions L 63 x W 55 x H 20 cm
Time Period

Region

Reference: For a similar item see: Christie's, Auction 15937, Lot 90

You may also like…