Description
Large Plesiosaur Paddle Bone Humerus Fossil
This large plesiosaur paddle bone humerus is a genuine Jurassic marine reptile fossil from the famous Kimmeridge Clay of Weymouth, Dorset, UK. It is a carefully chosen fossil specimen with strong collector appeal, natural history interest, and excellent display value. The photograph shows the actual specimen you will receive, allowing you to view the real preservation, surface detail, colour, shape, and fossil character before purchase. For full sizing, please see the photo.
This fossil includes a fully hand-signed Premium Certificate of Authenticity, making it a desirable piece for collectors of British fossils, Jurassic Coast fossils, marine reptile fossils, vertebrate fossils, and genuine prehistoric specimens.
Fossil Type and Marine Reptile Anatomy
This specimen represents a humerus from the paddle of a plesiosaur, one of the most iconic marine reptiles of the Jurassic seas. Plesiosaurs belonged to the order Plesiosauria, a group of extinct reptiles superbly adapted for life in the ocean. Their limbs evolved into strong, elongated paddles, which they used to move through the water with a powerful swimming motion.
The humerus was one of the main upper limb bones in the paddle. In life, it connected with the shoulder girdle and supported the wider flipper structure, working with the lower limb bones and numerous smaller paddle bones to create a broad, efficient swimming surface. Plesiosaur limb bones are highly collectable because they clearly show how a reptilian skeleton became specialised for an aquatic lifestyle. The robust form of a humerus reflects the strength needed for propulsion, steering, and manoeuvring in open marine environments.
Kimmeridge Clay Formation, Weymouth, Dorset
The Kimmeridge Clay Formation is one of Britain’s most important fossil-bearing geological deposits. It is especially well known for Late Jurassic marine fossils, including ammonites, belemnites, fossil fish, marine crocodiles, turtles, ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, and pliosaurs. The formation consists mainly of dark clays, mudstones, shales, and organic-rich marine sediments that were laid down in an ancient sea covering southern Britain.
Weymouth and the surrounding Dorset coast are part of the world-famous Jurassic Coast, a region internationally recognised for its outstanding geological exposures and fossil history. Fossils from this area are highly valued because they come from classic British Jurassic strata with a long tradition of scientific study and collecting. The fine-grained Kimmeridge Clay sediments helped preserve marine reptile bones after they settled onto the sea floor and became buried, mineralised, and fossilised over millions of years.
Jurassic Age and Ancient Marine Environment
During the Jurassic Period, the area now known as Dorset was covered by a warm, shallow to moderately deep marine environment. This ancient sea supported a rich ecosystem filled with ammonites, belemnites, fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and large marine reptiles. Plesiosaurs were important predators within this ecosystem, using their streamlined bodies and four paddle-like limbs to swim efficiently while hunting in the water column.
A plesiosaur humerus from this setting is a fascinating example of vertebrate adaptation. Unlike the limb bones of land animals, plesiosaur paddle bones were part of a specialised swimming apparatus. Their broad, strong limb structure helped turn the body into a powerful aquatic form, making plesiosaurs among the most recognisable prehistoric marine reptiles of the dinosaur age.
Collector Quality and Display Appeal
This large plesiosaur paddle bone humerus is ideal for a fossil cabinet, educational collection, museum-style display, natural history room, or Jurassic Coast themed collection. It is especially suited to collectors looking for genuine UK vertebrate fossils with strong geological provenance. Marine reptile material from the Kimmeridge Clay is always popular because it connects directly with the dramatic predator-filled seas of the Late Jurassic.
The specimen is sold as a genuine fossil, not a cast or replica. The actual item is shown in the photo, so the buyer can see the real fossil being offered. With its Weymouth, Dorset origin, Kimmeridge Clay provenance, and included fully hand-signed Premium Certificate of Authenticity, this is a highly appealing fossil for collectors seeking a genuine piece of Jurassic marine reptile history.
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