Description
Sonninia cf. wilsoni Ammonite Fossil – Inferior Oolite Group, Middle Jurassic, Burton Bradstock, Dorset
This genuine Sonninia cf. wilsoni ammonite fossil is a carefully selected Middle Jurassic specimen from the Inferior Oolite Group of Burton Bradstock, near Bridport on the famous Dorset Jurassic Coast, UK. Dating to the Bajocian Stage of the Middle Jurassic, this fossil represents an attractive and scientifically interesting marine cephalopod from one of southern England’s classic oolitic limestone fossil localities.
The specimen shown in the photographs is the actual fossil you will receive. Full sizing please see photo. This fossil also includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, giving confidence that it is a genuine specimen suitable for fossil collectors, geology enthusiasts, educational collections, display cabinets, and natural history gifts.
Fossil Type and Species
This specimen is identified as Sonninia cf. wilsoni, an ammonite belonging to the order Ammonitida. The use of “cf.” means the fossil compares closely with Sonninia wilsoni, while allowing for natural variation, preservation style, or incomplete diagnostic features. Sonninia is a well-known Jurassic ammonite genus, particularly associated with the early to middle Bajocian seas of Europe.
Ammonites were extinct marine molluscs related to modern squid, cuttlefish, and nautilus. They possessed coiled, chambered shells and were active swimmers in ancient seas. Their shells are valued by collectors not only for their distinctive spiral form, but also for their importance in dating Jurassic rock layers. Because many ammonite species evolved rapidly and were widely distributed, they are among the most useful fossils for biostratigraphy.
Geological Age and Formation
This ammonite comes from the Inferior Oolite Group, a Middle Jurassic rock sequence famous for its fossil-rich limestones, iron-rich beds, and marine invertebrate fossils. The specimen dates to the Bajocian Stage, approximately 170 to 168 million years old. During this time, the Dorset region lay beneath warm, shallow Jurassic seas that supported a diverse marine ecosystem.
The Inferior Oolite Group was deposited in a shallow marine setting where carbonate sediment, shell debris, ooids, and iron-rich material accumulated on the sea floor. These conditions helped preserve ammonites, bivalves, brachiopods, gastropods, echinoids, and other Jurassic sea life. Fossils from this group are especially collectible because they capture a detailed picture of life in the Middle Jurassic seas around what is now southern England.
Location – Burton Bradstock, Bridport, Dorset
Burton Bradstock, near Bridport in Dorset, is one of the best-known fossil localities along the Jurassic Coast. The cliffs and foreshore expose important Jurassic strata, including parts of the Inferior Oolite Group. Fossils from this area are sought after by collectors due to their classic British provenance and their connection to one of the world’s most famous geological coastlines.
The Jurassic Coast is internationally recognised for its outstanding fossil record, spanning much of the Mesozoic Era. Burton Bradstock is particularly associated with Middle Jurassic marine fossils, making this Sonninia ammonite a desirable specimen for anyone building a British fossil, ammonite, or Jurassic Coast collection.
Morphology and Collecting Interest
Sonninia ammonites are typically recognised by their coiled planispiral shells, ribbed ornament, and distinctive Jurassic ammonite form. Depending on preservation, specimens may show curved ribs, whorl shape, shell compression, and traces of the original chambered structure. These features reflect the ammonite’s growth pattern and help palaeontologists compare related species within the group.
As a display fossil, this specimen offers strong appeal due to its classic ammonite spiral, named fossil identification, precise geological age, and desirable UK locality. It is ideal for collectors of British Jurassic fossils, Dorset fossils, Inferior Oolite fossils, ammonites, natural history specimens, and educational geology pieces.
Authenticity and Presentation
All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. This Sonninia cf. wilsoni ammonite has been carefully chosen for its geological interest, display value, and classic Jurassic provenance. The photograph shows the actual specimen you will receive, making it suitable for collectors who want a clearly represented and authentic fossil for their collection.
This is a genuine Middle Jurassic ammonite fossil from Burton Bradstock, Dorset, supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card.
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