EXTREMELY RARE GIANT CRETACEOUS AMMONITE GROUP WITH RECORD SIZE 14 INCH EMILEIA BULLIGERAA AMMONITE

Central High Atlas Mountains, Morocco

MIDDLE JURASSIC PERIOD (LOWER BAJOCIAN):  172 - 168 million years ago

We have handled an extensive array of fossils in our long experience in this field but this is one piece that rises above many we have encountered.  This massive grouping of Cretaceous ammonites includes ALL rare species but the one that stands out as the most incredible is the record-size FOURTEEN INCH Emileia bulligeraa ammonite on the top!  A couple of years back, we acquired an entire collection of the finest varieties of rare species from this region and one of those specimens was a piece we sold AMX-067 that included an 8.5 inch version of this same species, a size that we were informed by a highly published paleontologist who works exclusively with this period and species, that the former 8.5 inch ammonite was one of the largest he had ever seen of this species and region.  This monster practically approaches DOUBLE that previous specimen we sold!!!!! 

This is an amazing decorator display fossil as much as it would be an unusual and rare addition to any advanced ammonite collection.  Specimens like this are EXTREMELY RARE and seldom seen on the market.  The rarity of these specimens cannot be overstated.  Their completeness and quality of preservation EXCEEDS anything seen from this region in professional scientific and museum collections.  Not only are these ammonite fossils we are offering from this collection beautiful to look at, they are extremely uncommon and exceedingly rare to the most advanced collector. 

This remarkable ENORMOUS mass cluster includes 8 different species ammonites.  Each species is RARE and an excellent example of their respective kinds, on their host rock in full three dimensional form.  All ammonites are wonderfully preserved in a fully inflated form.  The species include, clockwise from the top, a HUGE 14 inch Emileia bulligeraa, a Sonninia papillata, a Harpoceras ammonite, an unusually large and well-preserved Stephanoceras, the end of a Stephanoceras ammonite emerging, a Witchellia sayni ammonite, a beautiful Shirbuirnia trigonalis ammonite, and a Liparoceras ammonite.  The ammonites all have full high relief and on the matrix, the group displays as a superb multi-dimensional display that MUST be seen in person to fully grasp and appreciate.  This exceptional fossil ammonite group is far nicer than they appear in the photos.  These species are found together in the Middle Jurassic Bajocian sediments of the Central High Atlas mountains in Morocco.  Each ammonite shows rare shell detail as well as full inflation with no distortion.  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.

THE LARGEST OF THIS RARE AMMONITE KNOWN FROM THIS SITE AMASSED WITH 7 OTHER RARE SPECIES - THE ULTIMATE DISPLAY!

27" across and 20.5" high overall with matrix, largest ammonite is 14" across, other ammonites range from 8.75" to 3.4" across

SOLD     AMX-200     INCLUDES STAND     Actual Item - One Only

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