White Spine Ammonite Fossil with Golden Ribbed Shell

This White Spine Ammonite Fossil displays an attractive golden-cream colour palette, with raised ribs sweeping around its coiled shell. Dark reddish-brown mineral staining adds contrast to the lighter fossil surface, creating an individual character that makes this specimen particularly interesting to examine. Its prominent central spiral and textured shell preserve a glimpse of an ancient marine world, while the visible cavities and missing shell sections reveal its natural fossil condition.

The Details You Need

✓ Fossil Type: White Spine Ammonite
✓ Scientific Identification: Cleoniceras sp.
✓ Age: Early Cretaceous, approximately 110 million years
✓ Origin: Near Sakaraha, Madagascar
✓ Size: 51 mm × 60 mm × 37 mm
✓ Weight: 114 grams
✓ Features: Pronounced ribbed shell, visible central spiral, golden-cream colouring and reddish-brown mineral staining
✓ Condition: Natural fossil with substantial areas of missing shell material and cavities; refer to the photographs for the specimen's individual condition

The Story Behind the Fossil

Long before humans walked the Earth, ammonites swam through ancient oceans. These marine cephalopods belonged to a group of molluscs related to modern nautiluses, squids, octopuses and cuttlefish. Their coiled shells provided protection and helped support their buoyancy as they moved through the water.

Ammonites were especially successful marine animals, evolving into numerous species with distinctive shell shapes, sizes and patterns. Their fossils are particularly valuable to palaeontologists because different ammonite species lived during specific geological periods, helping scientists determine the relative ages of sedimentary rocks.

Over millions of years, the remains of these animals were buried beneath layers of sediment. Mineralisation and geological processes preserved their shells, creating the fossils that collectors can appreciate today.

This specimen's tightly coiled form and prominent ribbing offer a fascinating glimpse into the anatomy of an ancient marine animal. Its naturally weathered surface also highlights the changes that can occur during fossilisation and preservation.

Madagascar: A Land of Ancient Fossils

Madagascar is internationally recognised for its remarkable fossil deposits and geological diversity. Its sedimentary formations have preserved an extraordinary record of ancient marine life, including ammonites and other marine invertebrates.

Fossils from Madagascar are popular with collectors because they combine scientific interest with distinctive natural patterns and colours. The country's rich fossil heritage provides a window into ancient ecosystems and the geological history of the region.

This White Ammonite Fossil brings a small piece of that history into your collection, connecting you with a marine world that existed millions of years before our own.

Add this White Ammonite Fossil from Madagascar to your collection and own a tangible piece of Earth's ancient marine history. Whether displayed alongside other fossils or enjoyed as a standalone specimen, it is a wonderful conversation piece for fossil enthusiasts and collectors of natural history.