Description
This listing features an exceptionally rare 13″ fossil ammonite, Lewesiceras mantelii, from the Turonian Stage of the Cretaceous Period, found in the famous fossil-bearing chalk cliffs of Penly/Biville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France. This impressive specimen originates from the prestigious Alice Purnell Collection, known for its premium, authenticated, and scientifically significant fossils.
Geological Details:
- Locality: Penly / Biville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France
- Geological Period: Cretaceous
- Geological Stage: Turonian (~93.9 to 89.8 million years ago)
- Depositional Environment: Deep marine carbonate shelf, serene chalk sea dominated by planktonic sedimentation
- Formation: Upper Chalk or equivalent Turonian chalk strata in the Anglo-Paris Basin
Paleontological Context: Lewesiceras mantelii is one of the most iconic macroconch ammonites of the Turonian, part of the Pachydiscidae Family. Its global occurrence and use as a biostratigraphic marker make it critical for defining Turonian stages across the Northern Hemisphere. Its size and ornamentation reflect evolutionary adaptations to mid-Cretaceous marine environments.
- Order: Ammonitida
- Superfamily: Desmoceratoidea
- Family: Pachydiscidae
- Genus: Lewesiceras
- Species: mantelii
- Biozone: Lewesiceras peramplum Zone (Middle–Upper Turonian)
- Formally Described by: J. Sowerby, 1817
Morphological Features:
- Massive planispiral shell reaching ~13 inches in diameter
- Broad, thick whorls with strong radial ribbing
- Deep umbilicus and involute coiling
- Chalk matrix with pale preservation and natural calcite infillings
Notable Characteristics:
- Striking size and definition — a standout collector’s ammonite
- Found in the scenic chalk cliffs of northern France
- From the highly regarded Alice Purnell Collection, ensuring scientific and collector-grade provenance
Authenticity & Presentation:
- 100% genuine fossil, not a cast or reconstruction
- Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity
- You will receive the exact specimen shown in the photo
- Scale cube = 1cm shown for reference in the image
Additional Notes: This rare specimen of Lewesiceras mantelii is both a visually impressive and scientifically valuable piece of Cretaceous marine life. Suitable for collectors, educators, and museum-quality displays, it offers a dramatic glimpse into the ancient chalk seas of Europe.
All of our Fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens & come with a Certificate of Authenticity.
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