FINEST GRADE ARIETITES AMMONITE IN MATRIX FROM GERMANY WITH NEGATIVE IMPRESSIONS

Almke, Germany

EARLY JURASSIC PERIOD (LIAS):  206 - 180 million years ago

Presented for your consideration are two matrix pieces of a species of Arietites from the Jurassic Period from Germany.  The single ammonite in matrix is an extraordinary quality example with the most minute detail preserved.  There is no distortion from compression and the shell is full and wonderfully displayed.  The second matrix piece has two negative impressions of the same species.  Both fossil bearing matrices are natural and as found with no repair and no restoration.  For the advanced ammonite fossil fancier wishing to add a unique specimen not typically found in the marketplace and not commercially mined in mass numbers.

Ammonites are extinct members of the Cephalopod class.  Modern members include nautilus, squid and octopus.  They first appeared during the Silurian Period (435 million to 410 million years ago) and were abundant and widespread in the seas of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods (175 million to 65 million years ago).  Ammonites are important index fossils—that is, they often link the rock layer in which they are found to specific geological time periods.

Ammonites varied greatly in size.  The largest known as small as 2 cm (0.75 in) in diameter.  During the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, ammonites evolved more streamlined shells for swimming and the structure of the shell became stronger.  Different shell shapes emerged as well, such as snail-like or uncoiled.   

The shells of ammonites had hollow chambers separated by walls called septa.  A tube called the siphuncle, connected the body with the chambers allowing the animal to fill them with water or air, changing its buoyancy in order to rise or drop in the ocean.  Only the last and largest chamber was occupied by the living animal.  

Ammonites probably lived for one to six years, with the majority living two to four years.  They fed on plankton (tiny free-floating organisms), sea lilies, and smaller orthoceras.  Although many fed off the ocean floor, others may have caught plankton while floating or swimming via jet propulsion, expelling water through a funnel-like opening to propel themselves in the opposite direction.

Because ammonites lived exclusively in marine environments, their presence also indicates the location of prehistoric seas.

STUNNINGLY WELL PRESERVED ARIETITES STILL IN MATRIX WITH ADDITIONAL IMPRESSION MATRIX

5" wide and 3. 5" wide each matrix piece, ammonite 1.6" across

SOLD     AM-034     INCLUDES STAND     Actual Item - One Only

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