RARE LARGE BROWN ARIETITES AMMONITE FROM FRANCE IN ORIGINAL MATRIX

France

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

With immense sculptural appeal yet with its natural integrity preserved, this is an exceptionally large dark brown Arietites bucklandi ammonite in its ORIGINAL matrix in which it was found.  We prepared the ammonite to protrude a full 50% out from the host rock for a highly dramatic appearance.  The natural cleavage split of the rock was left around the perimeter for added natural beauty.  Unlike the Russian ammonite fossil art pieces which are mostly artificially assembled into a manufactured, NON-original matrix piece, this RARE specimen is a completely natural occurrence in this large rock block and can be proudly displayed as a true prize amongst knowledgeable ammonite collectors who know the difference between common fossil show junk and one-of-a-kind, truly rare specimens. 

Specimens of this size are NOT common and extensively restored or even completely fabricated specimens have surfaced at an increased rate in the market in the last 5 years.  Ammonites like these are not commercially mined so their scarcity is not only due to true rarity but also to the lack of any large scale efforts compared to mass-marketed and produced ammonites from Russia, Madagascar and Morocco.  INTACT with NO REPAIR.  A large and genuine, very large ammonite for an unforgettable display of natural art and prehistoric beauty.

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.

STUNNING SCULPTURAL PREPARATION IN ORIGINAL MATRIX - DO NOT CONFUSE WITH ASSEMBLED RUSSIAN EXAMPLES!

18" x 14" overall with original matrix, ammonite is 12.5" across

$2995     AMX-101     INCLUDES STAND     Actual Item - One Only

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