DARK BROWN EARLY CRETACEOUS HORNED AMMONITE ON MATRIX

Central High Atlas Mountains, Morocco

LATE CRETACEOUS PERIOD (TURONIAN):  90 million years ago

This is an uncommon species of horned ammonite called Mamites.  These ammonites are found in the Cretaceous sediments of the Central High Atlas mountains in Morocco.  This excellent specimen is large with rare, fine grade preservation.  It has been prepared still attached to its original matrix which was designed to serve as a natural base.  Visible from all angles and much nicer than typically offered!  This fossil ammonite presents itself as both, an amazing decorator display fossil as much as it is a highly desirable collection specimen.  Color of ammonite contrasts beautifully with its light cream colored matrix.  Shell detail is amazingly well-preserved with dramatic, heavy horn processes and detailed inner chamber structured seen in the surface.  Perfect to accompany any advanced fossil marine life collection as well as a stunning and highly unique interior design fossil of pure natural history!

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.

UNCOMMON, BEAUTIFUL AND RARE AMMONITE WITH DRAMATIC HORNED SHELL!

5.75" high overall, ammonite is 4.7" across

$325     AMX-136     Actual Item - One Only

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