SHOWPIECE LARGE DESIGNER FOSSIL STONE BLOCK WITH A SUPER QUALITY JURASSIC AMMONITE

Hungary

JURASSIC PERIOD (OXFORDIAN AGE):  161.2 - 155 million years ago

From a rare locale in Eastern Europe, this is an unusually large and beautiful white block of limestone encasing a STUNNING, naturally occurring and well-preserved Perisphinctes sp. ammonite from the Jurassic Era.  The ammonite and matrix from this region are found in beautiful, ivory white color and both the ammonites and matrix are usually this same bright hue.  On some occasions, the ammonites have become very slightly tinted in a light green hue but they overall, are nearly the same beautiful tone as the white limestone boulders they are found in.  This is a rare size specimen with a very large and thick limestone boulder still partially encasing the ammonite.  Most of the ammonites found there are not this large. 

From around the world, most fossil deposits of ammonites do NOT naturally produce the fossils AND the matrix in a stark white color like this one.  This source produces this unusual similar color ammonite fossils making them really impressive and attractive for interior design applications.  A white ammonite fossil like this can fit in any interior style from classic to extreme modern.

The chamber detail of these ammonites are very well-preserved and three dimensional.  The ammonite protrudes fully off the matrix in the same form as when alive over 150 million years ago at a time when dinosaurs ruled the Earth.  The condition of this fossil is 100% original with NO REPAIR AND NO RESTORATION.  From an unusual region and suitable for either a diverse fossil collection or for a high impact and unique interior design accent.  Very highly recommended!!!

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.

EXTREMELY AESTHETIC, MONSTER-BLOCK SPECIMEN OF IMPECCABLE PRESERVATION - NATURAL BEAUTY AS WELL AS A RARE COLOR

19.5" x 10.5" x 8" thick overall with ammonite 7" across

$1175     AMX285     Actual Item - One Only

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