LARGE GOLDEN PYRITE HARPOCERAS AMMONITE ON HOLZMADEN SHALE SLAB

Holzmaden Black Shale Formation (Lias Epsilon) - Stuttgart, Germany

JURASSIC PERIOD:  200 million years ago

From the world-renown Black Jurassic oil-bearing shale of Holzmaden, Germany comes this exquisitely preserved Harpoceras falcifer and Dactylioceras species ammonite fossil slab.  Specimens like this are now becoming quite rare as almost all quarrying operations in the formation have ceased.  It is likely, Holzmaden fossils of exceptional quality like this breath-taking example will appreciate in the future as demand far outstrips supply.  Holzmaden is a highly unique formation famous for producing some of the world's finest Jurassic marine life fossils.  Modern quarry efforts have failed to produce many specimens like this that were once found in greater frequency many years ago.  If you wish to accent a room with one of nature's most beautiful prehistoric masterpieces, then this fossil would really set off any interior.  

With the superb chamber detail fully preserved, this Harpoceras is certainly of a quality that far exceeds what is usually found and much better than the above photos indicate.  This wonderful shale specimen would be truly impressive to display.  There is one large golden Harpoceras ammonite accompanied by smaller, finely detailed golden Dactylioceras and Harpoceras ammonites.  ALL ammonites are preserved in GOLDEN pyrite, their original shell converted by a rare natural fossilization process whereby the shell has been replaced with stunning golden pyrite - a feature that is so HIGHLY-prized by collectors.  This gold tone on the fossil is COMPLETELY GENUINE AND NATURAL formed millions of years ago.  This beauty has NO RESTORATION OR FABRICATION!  This magnificent specimen is not only valuable for its superb fossil quality and preservation but it possesses immense architectural value when used in any interior setting.  Much nicer in person than appears above.  Other ammonite fossil impressions are also present on the front side around this large ammonite.

Some of the largest dinosaurs that ever walked the earth were in existence when these ammonites swam in the ancient seas alongside massive plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs! 

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.

MAGNIFICENT GOLD PYRITE HARPOCERAS WITH HEAVY SHELL PRESERVATION AND CHAMBER DETAIL! 

16" x 16.5" overall, ammonite 9" wide

SOLD     AMX-061     INCLUDES STAND     Actual Item - One Only

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