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3.45" Jurassic Cut & Polished Ammonite Fossil - Madagascar
This is a 3.45" cut and polished Jurassic-aged ammonite fossil collected in the Tulear Province of Madagascar. Most of the cut and polished ammonites that you see from Madagascar are Cretaceous in age, but those with orange/yellow/pink coloration are Late Jurassic (Oxfordian Stage) in age, nearly 50 million years older. Though many ammonites from this formation look similar, this one is most likely Phylloceras.
The previously hollow chambers of the ammonite were replaced with a calcite/aragonite during the fossilization process. Some of these chambers are still partially hollow and lined with druzy crystals. The ammonite was cut in half and polished revealing the inner chamber structure of this ancient marine animal. Both halves are included and they come with a pair of display stands.
The previously hollow chambers of the ammonite were replaced with a calcite/aragonite during the fossilization process. Some of these chambers are still partially hollow and lined with druzy crystals. The ammonite was cut in half and polished revealing the inner chamber structure of this ancient marine animal. Both halves are included and they come with a pair of display stands.
About Ammonites
Ammonites were ancient marine cephalopods, similar to today's squids and octopuses, but with a defining feature: their distinctive, tightly coiled spiral shells. These shells, resembling those of modern nautiluses, served as both a protective home and a buoyancy aid, allowing ammonites to navigate the prehistoric seas with ease. First emerging around 240 million years ago in the Triassic Period, ammonites thrived for over 175 million years, adapting through numerous forms and sizes. As predatory creatures, they likely fed on smaller marine organisms, using their tentacles to capture prey. However, their long reign came to an end 65 million years ago at the close of the Cretaceous, coinciding with the mass extinction event that also eliminated the dinosaurs.
What an ammonite would have looked like while alive.
Ammonites were ancient marine cephalopods, similar to today's squids and octopuses, but with a defining feature: their distinctive, tightly coiled spiral shells. These shells, resembling those of modern nautiluses, served as both a protective home and a buoyancy aid, allowing ammonites to navigate the prehistoric seas with ease. First emerging around 240 million years ago in the Triassic Period, ammonites thrived for over 175 million years, adapting through numerous forms and sizes. As predatory creatures, they likely fed on smaller marine organisms, using their tentacles to capture prey. However, their long reign came to an end 65 million years ago at the close of the Cretaceous, coinciding with the mass extinction event that also eliminated the dinosaurs.
What an ammonite would have looked like while alive.
SPECIES
Phylloceras sp.
LOCATION
Sakaraha, Tulear Province, Madagascar
SIZE
3.45" wide
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#289369
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